Honda’s manufacturing facility MotoGP staff has finalised the signing of Fabio Quartararo for the subsequent two seasons, Motorsport.com has discovered.
The 26-year-old Frenchman will go away Yamaha after agreeing a cope with HRC for 2027 and 2028, bringing to an finish his affiliation with the producer, which handed him his MotoGP debut in 2019 – a extensively sudden transfer on the time.
Advertisement
Quartararo is the newest world champion for the Iwata-based model, having clinched the title in 2021, earlier than Yamaha entered a downward spiral that, after an extended interval of pressure, finally led to his departure.
In addition to that championship, ‘El Diablo’ has to this point amassed 11 victories, 32 podiums and 21 pole positions in Yamaha colors, forward of what is going to be his remaining season with the Japanese model in 2026. As with all riders altering groups forward of the introduction of the brand new technical laws in 2027, the upcoming marketing campaign shall be a transitional one. It stays to be seen to what extent Yamaha will contain Quartararo within the improvement of the prototype that may debut beneath the brand new ruleset, outlined above all by the swap to an 850cc four-cylinder engine.
This final result is critical given its implications, though the signs pointing in direction of a doable finish to the connection had been mounting for a while. When he final renewed his contract in April 2024, the Nice-born rider described it as an act of religion, trusting that Yamaha’s potential – underpinned by a dedication to extend funding in its MotoGP venture – would ultimately lead to an M1 able to permitting him to struggle the very best bike on the grid, particularly Ducati.
Advertisement
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Yamaha honoured the monetary and organisational aspect of that dedication, however the enchancment in efficiency has not been convincing sufficient in Quartararo’s eyes, and his endurance has lastly run out.
His frustration additionally coincided with a change within the staff’s administration construction. The departure of Lin Jarvis on the finish of 2024 and his alternative by Paolo Pavesio led to a unique strategy in rider relations, which did little to assist issues for the #20.
Advertisement
“I don’t speak much with Paolo. The people I’m interested in are the ones in the garage. I speak more with the engineers than with him,” the Frenchman instructed Motorsport.com in Australia in direction of the tip of 2025.
Once Honda formally declares Quartararo’s arrival, consideration will flip to who will companion him. The contracts of present manufacturing facility Honda riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini additionally expire on the finish of 2026. Motorsport.com understands that Honda needs to evaluate a number of components earlier than making a call concerning the second RC214V.
On one hand, it needs to gauge Mir’s stage of motivation, whereas Marini has labored very successfully on his relationship with Honda’s Japanese faction, which is turning into more and more influential in decision-making. Alongside Mir and Marini, the names of Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin have additionally featured prominently in current months.
Advertisement
The Madrid-born rider tried to drive an exit from Aprilia in mid-2025 after holding talks with Honda, which was keen to take him on as early as 2026. However, Aprilia’s refusal and the intervention of the championship’s high administration finally derailed the technique of the 2024 world champion.
Read Also:
Why Francesco Bagnaia seems closer to leaving Ducati than staying
Why KTM thinks it “hasn’t done enough yet” to retain Pedro Acosta in MotoGP
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles visit our website.