Quartararo explains why eight years with Yamaha are ending in tension

Fabio Quartararo does not describe his relationship with Yamaha as a war, but admits the last few years have badly worn down the partnership. After fighting for the title in 2021 and 2022, he points mainly to three seasons spent battling for positions far below the level he expected. That frustration has recently turned into sharper public criticism of the manufacturer.

The clearest flashpoint is the Pirelli test planned in Austria: Yamaha does not want Quartararo, a future Honda rider, involved in developing the 2027 tyres. He says he can understand the manufacturer's position, but no longer hides how eager he is to start his next project. He even says he thinks every night about his first outing with Honda in Valencia.