Fabio Quartararo explains Honda switch: “I needed a fresh start”

– Fabio Quartararo will end his collaboration with Yamaha after the 2026 season and race for Honda from 2027. The 2021 world champion has consciously decided on a complete fresh start. It is not solely about the technical performance of his future motorcycle.

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Quartararo also wants to draw a mental line and face a challenge in a new environment, as he emphasized in the discussion about his move.

The decision for Honda was made before the start of the current season. When asked when he decided to switch manufacturers, the Frenchman initially answers briefly: “In the winter.” He then clarifies: “The decision to switch to Honda was, of course, made shortly before the start of the season. But as I said, we have been talking to various teams since the winter.”

Yamaha chapter ends after eight years

Quartararo’s switch was officially announced only in the summer. By that time, it was already clear to the Frenchman that his future would not lie with Yamaha. There were no talks about extending his contract at all. “No,” Quartararo makes this clear.

This ends eight years together with Yamaha. Since his MotoGP debut in 2019, Quartararo has ridden exclusively for the Japanese manufacturer. In 2021, he won the title with Yamaha; overall, he achieved eleven wins and 32 podiums with the brand.

However, the sporting development in recent years increasingly caused frustration. Quartararo does not hide that the first years of his Yamaha time were significantly more successful than the recent past.

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“I hope they can build a winning motorcycle. But of course, a chapter ends with Yamaha. We were together for eight years. The first years were better than the last,” the Frenchman looks back. Despite the upcoming farewell, he wants to finish his current season with Yamaha professionally.

“I am happy and really looking forward to switching to Honda. I can hardly wait. But we still have some races ahead of us, so we have to keep focusing,” emphasizes the departing Yamaha rider.

Not only the motorcycle was decisive

The decision against an extension with Yamaha was not made solely from a sporting perspective. Quartararo emphasizes that the motorcycle played a particularly important role. At the same time, after eight years with the same brand, the desire for change also grew in him.

“In this case, it was mainly about the motorcycle. But of course, I spent my entire MotoGP career at Yamaha. I am very happy and grateful for that. But for me, it was the right time for a change.”

Quartararo simply needed a fresh start: “Fresh wind, new people, and a new project. I think I needed a change in all areas, mentally as well as in the overall package.” The Honda switch is not just an attempt for Quartararo to get on a potentially faster motorcycle. He wants to consciously detach and start 2027 with a completely new situation.

New manufacturer and also a new crew

This fresh start will also be noticeable in personnel. Quartararo confirms that he will leave most of his previous environment at Yamaha behind. Only one mechanic will go with him and also switch to Honda.

“As I said, we will have a completely new package and new people. One mechanic will follow me from Yamaha. But I want to arrive completely fresh, with new people and with people who already know the brand,” he says.

Instead of taking his usual Yamaha structure unchanged to Honda, Quartararo wants to embrace the working methods and philosophy of the new manufacturer.

What convinced Quartararo about Honda

The decision for Honda comes at a time when the Japanese manufacturer itself has gone through a difficult phase. Honda struggled in recent years, similar to Yamaha’s competition, with significant sporting problems but has recently made significant progress.

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For Quartararo, exactly this development was an important factor. He saw how much Honda has changed and improved and was especially convinced by the future project.

“Of course, we know that they were also in a difficult situation. But the growth they have shown in recent years and the project for the future are really things that make me want to go there. There are also other things I can’t tell you about. But of course, I think that’s great,” says the Frenchman about his reasons.

Quartararo hints that there were further arguments behind the scenes for Honda that he cannot publicly explain in detail. However, it was crucial for him that he could see a clear perspective for the future at Honda.

Quartararo knows: 2027 is a huge risk

The timing of the switch is quite unusual. In 2027, MotoGP will be fundamentally rebuilt. The premier class will introduce new technical rules, including smaller 850cc engines, extensive changes regarding aerodynamics, a ban on devices, and a new tire supplier with Pirelli.

This marks a new era for all manufacturers. No one can say for sure today which concept will actually be competitive under the new framework conditions. Quartararo is aware of this risk.

“I think it’s very difficult. The motorcycles that work now might not work next year because of all the changes, especially with the tires. Of course, it’s a risk,” says the 2021 world champion.

“But I wouldn’t say it’s a complete gamble. I think there are many things behind it that you have to think about and work on.”

Before his decision, he therefore had numerous talks: “We had many talks with different teams. And at Honda, my questions were really well answered. That’s exactly why I wanted to take this step.”

Puig: “Fabio is one of the fastest riders”

Honda team manager Alberto Puig sees Quartararo as an important reinforcement for the new era. For him, the quality of the Frenchman is unquestionable. “Fabio is a world champion. I think he is one of the fastest riders on the grid. Of course, Honda is happy about that, and we are happy too,” emphasizes the Spaniard.

At the same time, Puig also looks at the riders who shaped the Honda project in recent years. Joan Mir and Luca Marini made an important contribution to the development of the motorcycle: “We are also satisfied and grateful for the work Joan and Luca have done in recent years. They helped us to further develop our motorcycles.”

For Puig, the Quartararo switch therefore does not mark a break with the past but the beginning of a new chapter. “Everything has an end at some point. This phase is over for them. Now we start with a new rider, and we are happy about the past and full of hope for the future.”

Honda and Quartararo have the same goal

Quartararo has repeatedly emphasized at Yamaha that he wants to return to the top of MotoGP. Honda pursues exactly this ambition. For Puig, this results in a clear shared motivation: “Usually, world champions are hungry, and manufacturers like Honda are hungry. Everyone here is.”

“There is only one goal, we have to be clear about that,” adds the Honda team manager. “Sometimes you can’t reach this goal, but there is only one goal. And for Fabio and Honda, it is definitely about getting back to the top.”

This describes quite precisely what Honda and Quartararo have in common: Both sides want to get back to the very front in MotoGP after difficult years.

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