Fabio Quartararo isn’t holding back anymore. The former world champion has made it crystal clear—if Yamaha wants to keep him, they need to deliver a bike capable of winning. And they need to do it fast.
The 26-year-old Frenchman, who made his MotoGP debut with Yamaha back in 2019, has been loyal to the team for years. But that loyalty is now hanging by a thread. After dealing with underwhelming performance, technical gremlins, and a serious lack of results over the past two seasons, Quartararo says his patience is just about gone.
Even though he pulled off a surprise pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, the bigger picture hasn’t changed. In fact, he’s only stood on the podium once in the last two years, and his last race win dates all the way back to Germany in 2022. It’s no wonder he’s feeling the heat.
“For this year the confidence is zero,” Quartararo admitted bluntly. “But a lot depends on the bike for next year.”
He went on to credit Yamaha’s technical director, Max Bartolini, for keeping him somewhat grounded and still open to staying with the team. “If I remain at Yamaha this year and next year, they can say a big ‘thank you’ to Max. He was the one who changed my mind and really made me believe in the project.”
But even Bartolini’s influence has its limits. Quartararo is calling for concrete changes—especially with Yamaha expected to roll out an all-new machine next season. “He knows he needs to make it work before next year and this is something super important for me and my mental health,” Fabio said. “It’s super important we fight for victories next year.”
And make no mistake—he’s not bluffing. Quartararo, who finished 14th in the Italian GP after three straight DNFs, is one of the most sought-after riders on the grid. He has options if Yamaha can’t meet his expectations. With even Ducati and Honda hovering around. Personally would love to see Fabio and Marc battle it out on the same bike.
“I’m not enjoying it on the bike, and right now I need to enjoy it,” he added. “I need to feel the happiness of being at the front. That’s why I’m putting a lot of pressure on the team—I don’t have much time.”
What’s most frustrating for Quartararo is the feeling that the current Yamaha has reached its developmental ceiling. “The current bike has reached the limit. I need something new. I need a winning project now.”
He’s hopeful that the 2025 bike, which promises to be a complete redesign, can turn things around. But until then, he’s staying skeptical. “I want to see facts. At the moment, I don’t see anything, and to be honest, we’re still very far.”
As things stand, Yamaha is sitting at the bottom of the 2025 constructors’ standings, with Quartararo only 10th in the riders’ championship. The clock is ticking, and Fabio’s future with the team is hanging in the balance.
