Quartararo’s Contract Renewal: A Bold Move for Yamaha and a Wise Decision for the Frenchman
Kosport Magazine – Earlier this month, Fabio Quartararo made headlines when he signed a multi-year contract extension with Yamaha, securing his place with the team until at least the end of the 2026 season. This decision came amidst a lackluster start to the 2024 MotoGP season for Yamaha, with Quartararo struggling to secure top positions in the first three rounds.
Many were surprised by Quartararo’s choice to stay with Yamaha, especially after six-time champion Marc Marquez’s departure from Honda to join the independent Gresini Ducati team in 2024. However, Quartararo believes that Marquez’s move actually worked in his favor.
In an interview with Kosport Magazine, Quartararo explained, “Marquez’s departure from Honda to Ducati woke up a lot of people at Yamaha. They’ve recruited new engineers and are making changes in Italy rather than Japan. The speed at which parts can be changed has improved drastically. I think it was very interesting for me to continue with Yamaha.”
Some have questioned Quartararo’s decision to stay with Yamaha, given the team’s struggles in recent years. However, Quartararo revealed that he did consider moving to a different team earlier in the year. Ultimately, his decision was swayed by the amount of resources Yamaha is dedicating to improving their MotoGP program.
“I totally understand the doubts people have about my choice,” Quartararo admitted. “Even I, a few months ago, was ready to leave for another team. But Yamaha is investing a lot to improve the bike. They are one of the only brands investing so much in this project. We will see improvements this year, and I believe this year will be crucial for the next two.”
With Quartararo’s contract renewal, Yamaha is making a bold statement about their commitment to returning to the front of the pack in MotoGP. And for Quartararo, it was a wise decision to stay with a team that is dedicated to providing him with a competitive bike.
Summary:
In a surprising move, Fabio Quartararo has renewed his contract with Yamaha, keeping him with the team until at least 2026. This decision comes amidst a slow start to the 2024 MotoGP season for Yamaha, but Quartararo believes that Marc Marquez’s departure from Honda to Ducati has sparked a positive change within the team. Despite doubts about his choice, Quartararo is confident in Yamaha’s commitment to improving their MotoGP program and believes this year will be crucial for their success in the next two seasons.
