Fabio Quartararo’s Urgent Demand to Yamaha Ahead of 2026 Deadline

Fabio Quartararo has never been one to hide his feelings, and as the 2025 MotoGP season reaches its halfway point, the Yamaha factory rider is making it clear — changes must happen, and they must happen fast. Speaking after a challenging first half of the season, the 2021 world champion issued a direct call to Yamaha’s management, urging them to deliver a true flagship bike before his current contract expires at the end of 2026. With his future already the subject of speculation, Quartararo’s demand is both a plea for competitiveness and a statement of intent that he’s not content to simply ride out his deal without fighting for victories.

A Difficult First Half of the Season

Quartararo’s 2025 campaign has been a mix of flashes of brilliance and frustrating underperformance. While Yamaha has made notable progress compared to last year’s dismal showing, the overall results remain far from the Frenchman’s standards. As of the mid-season break, he has collected four pole positions and two podium finishes — including both race and sprint formats — but these achievements have failed to translate into consistent Sunday success.

The problem, according to Quartararo, is that Yamaha’s single-lap speed is simply not matched by its race pace. The YZR-M1 has shown strong qualifying capability, but over the course of a Grand Prix distance, its weaknesses are ruthlessly exposed. This has left Yamaha rooted to the bottom of the manufacturers’ standings after 12 rounds — a position that is as embarrassing as it is alarming for one of MotoGP’s most storied teams.

Where the Bike Falls Short

Yamaha’s struggles in 2025 come down to two key weaknesses. First, tire degradation in the opening laps has cost them dearly. Quartararo revealed that the M1 often suffers from excessive wear in the first five laps, a problem that not only robs him of early momentum but also forces him into defensive riding far too soon in the race.

Second, there is the long-standing lack of engine power compared to their European rivals. While Yamaha has worked tirelessly to close the gap, riders still find themselves at a disadvantage on long straights and in high-speed acceleration zones. This means that even when Quartararo secures a front-row start, keeping faster bikes behind him is a constant battle.

These deficiencies have combined to limit Yamaha’s race-day threat. Despite his qualifying heroics, Quartararo currently sits ninth in the riders’ standings, just seven points behind Johann Zarco — a rider who has already managed to take a victory this season.

Quartararo’s Honest Assessment

Quartararo admits that his qualifying performances have exceeded initial expectations, which is one of the few positives he can take from the first half of the season. Yet, his disappointment over the race results is clear. The Frenchman is particularly frustrated with the first few laps, where Yamaha’s weaknesses are most evident.

“Qualifying has been better than we thought it would be at the start of the year,” Quartararo acknowledged. “But the race pace, especially in the first five laps, is just not there. That’s where we lose too much.”

It’s a problem that affects strategy and morale in equal measure — even when he starts from pole, Quartararo knows he’s likely to be overtaken before the race settles into its rhythm.

The 2026 Deadline Looms

While Quartararo is contracted to Yamaha until the end of 2026, the timeline for turning things around is tight. The Frenchman is pushing for a full-scale technical overhaul of the M1, making it clear that he wants to spend the final year of his deal with a bike capable of winning races, not just competing for top-ten finishes.

This is more than a casual request — it’s a high-stakes demand that could influence whether Yamaha retains one of the most marketable and talented riders in the paddock beyond his current contract. The warning signs are there: if Yamaha can’t convince him of their competitiveness, rivals like Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will be ready to make their pitch.

Yamaha’s Response and Future Plans

Inside Yamaha’s camp, there is recognition of the urgency. Technical updates have been arriving steadily, with a particular focus on engine development and rear grip improvement. The addition of data from the satellite Pramac Yamaha team has also been a boost, providing a broader range of feedback for engineers to work with.

Yet, Quartararo wants more than incremental steps — he’s asking for a transformative upgrade, the kind of leap forward that could instantly close the gap to Ducati’s GP machine or KTM’s aggressive RC16.

The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Yamaha, not just in terms of results, but in shaping its rider lineup for the long term. If they can deliver a competitive package, Quartararo could be the centerpiece of their next title challenge. If not, they risk losing him to a rival project.

The Stakes for Yamaha and Quartararo

For Yamaha, the equation is simple: without a bike capable of winning, retaining Quartararo becomes a near-impossible task. For Quartararo, the decision is equally stark: stay loyal to the team that gave him his MotoGP break, or seek a new challenge with a manufacturer better positioned to fight for championships.

The Frenchman’s sense of urgency is understandable. At 26 years old in 2025, he is entering the prime of his career. Every season spent without a realistic shot at the title is a missed opportunity, and his competitive instincts will not allow him to settle for mediocrity.

Looking Ahead

As the MotoGP circus heads into the second half of the season, Yamaha’s engineers have their work cut out for them. Quartararo will be watching closely to see not just if the updates arrive, but whether they deliver tangible improvements in race conditions.

The next few months could be pivotal. A strong finish to 2025 would not only lift Yamaha’s morale but also send a clear message that they are serious about giving Quartararo the tools he needs to fight for wins in 2026.

If they fail to do so, the Fabio Quartararo transfer rumors that have simmered quietly in the background could explode into the hottest storyline of the 2026 MotoGP silly season. For now, one thing is certain — Yamaha’s clock is ticking, and Quartararo’s demand is impossible to ignore.