– The following exclusive interview with Fabio Quartararo took place last weekend in the paddock at Misano, conducted by our colleagues from the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, a sister platform of Motorsport-Total.com in the Motorsport Network. The conversation happened against the backdrop of certain tensions between Quartararo and Yamaha.
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After his move to Honda for the 2027 MotoGP season was confirmed, the 2021 world champion is currently only going through a kind of transition season, struggling with the frustration of competing on a motorcycle that is currently far from where it should be.
To make matters worse, Yamaha will prevent Quartararo from participating in the test in Spielberg (Austria) next Monday. There he could have tested the Pirelli tires that will be used from 2027. This lit the fuse and only further poisoned a relationship that once began like a fairy tale but will end in a far less idyllic way.
Question: “Fabio, looking back, what do you think you will take away from your last years at Yamaha?”
Fabio Quartararo: “The ability to respond after a 2024 season that was not easy at all. When we had a bike that worked better back then, especially for one lap, I knew how to react. Even though we didn’t get the desired results in some races, I could at least prove to myself again that I still have the speed.”
Question: “What made the atmosphere between both sides so tense?”
Quartararo: “I think it’s because of how much time we spent fighting for positions that were not what we had expected. In 2021, we fought for the world championship. In 2022, we were in the title fight, even though we didn’t win it.”
“But then there were three consecutive years, namely 2023, 2024, and 2025, in which we really didn’t fight for what we wanted. There were difficult moments and I think it all strongly relates to that.”
Question: “Was there no less unpleasant way to end this relationship?”
Quartararo: “That’s a difficult question. I think both sides tried their best. There were more tense moments, but what appears in the press is exaggerated. That makes things seem much worse than they actually are. Of course, it could have gone better, but you shouldn’t think this is a war.”
“It’s like in a relationship. There are difficult moments, that’s normal. We still have three months together. After eight years together, now is not the time for conflict. We will finish this as well as possible. I hope that in the future we can speak positively about everything we have achieved.”
Question: “What is your assessment of the project itself? What are the weaknesses or problems that have prevented you from making as much progress as you expected?”
Quartararo: “This year, the first test we did in Barcelona surprised me positively. But then overall, we didn’t manage to take a step forward. When you bring a new bike to the start, there are many things to adjust.”
“But we didn’t manage to make progress in terms of speed, cornering behavior, grip, or engine performance. For me, it’s difficult to give an exact assessment. I’m sure the people at Yamaha can answer these technical questions better than I can.”
Question: “Do you think it was due to a lack of resources or investment?”
Quartararo: “I don’t know how big Yamaha’s budget is. That’s like going to the doctor and asking the patient for the diagnosis. What I want are improvements that bring results. That’s why I’m here.”
Photo gallery: The career highlights of Fabio Quartararo
Question: “Next year you’re moving to Honda. Pirelli tires will be used, and you will have very few test days to adapt to the bike and tires. Are you worried that you might not be fully prepared for the first race?”
Quartararo: “In testing, you get a feel for the bike, but I can’t say that I’m going to the first race with the goal of winning. That wouldn’t be right. Maybe I ride the bike for two days and feel incredibly good. But clearly, we will have to keep learning in the first few Grands Prix.”
“When I feel ready to fight for the podium or the win, I will try. But we can’t expect to skip several steps right away. Just because I’m moving to Honda doesn’t mean the bike will suddenly be the best. We have to work, make adjustments, and go step by step. Step by step, but quickly.”
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Question: “Yamaha is not letting you participate in the Monday test in Austria, which means you can’t test the Pirelli tires. Don’t you find the manufacturer’s stance logical to some extent?”
Quartararo: “From my point of view, yes, it’s logical. From another perspective, less so. But I’d rather not go into detail to avoid getting into trouble. If I were in Yamaha’s place, I might have done the same.”
Question: “Have you already thought about how your first outing on the Honda at the Valencia test will go? Are you worried it might not go as you imagine?”
Quartararo: “To be honest, I think about how this first outing with Honda will go every night when I go to bed. But I’m not only thinking about this test in Valencia.”
“It will be a bit strange because I have spent my entire career at Yamaha and it’s a very big change. It’s not nervousness. It’s excitement and tension. But I decided to go there because I will give everything I have.”
Question: “What ultimately convinced you to join the Honda project?”
Quartararo: “It’s a complicated situation that can’t be fully explained. There came a point when I wanted to part ways with Yamaha and look for a new project. We had meetings with several manufacturers, including Honda.”
“At these meetings, I had many questions, and besides them answering those, Honda showed me aspects of the project that made me decide to choose it.”
Question: “When you decided on Honda, Ducati was the benchmark. Why didn’t you try to get a Ducati?”
Quartararo: “Because I believe Honda has been going through a phase for several years where the company wants to win again. The company is putting all its resources into making a comeback. With the rule changes, the new bikes, and the new tires, I believe Honda can cause a surprise and build a very competitive bike.”
Question: “Aren’t you worried that someone like Marc Marquez left Honda for similar reasons as you are now leaving Yamaha?”
Quartararo: “I think they understood it. Honda lost the best rider ever. They understood what Marc demanded. They realized they had to be much more aggressive. In the past two years, Honda has made quite a big step forward.”
Question: “Have you talked to Marc about this?”
Quartararo: “No, not at all.”
Question: “It’s been a while since you regularly fought for wins. How do you know you haven’t lost that ‘bite’, your hunger for victory?”
Quartararo: “Because I feel it here (touches his heart; editor’s note). It’s like a dog that hasn’t eaten for three days. When it sees food, you see how it pounces on it. At the moment, I am that dog.”
“I know I will make it if I get a real chance to win or fight for top positions. We saw that last year in Silverstone. The circumstances allowed me to fight for the win there, and I was there. I still have the same bite.”
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