Deadline Set: Yamaha Has Little Time Left to Retain Quartararo

The 2025 MotoGP season has been a rollercoaster for Fabio Quartararo, as the 2021 world champion continues to struggle with Yamaha’s declining competitiveness. Despite flashes of brilliance, the French star has found himself repeatedly let down by machinery and reliability issues, leading to growing doubts about his future with the Japanese manufacturer.

Yamaha’s Fall from Glory Since Quartararo’s 2021 Triumph

It’s hard to believe that just a few seasons ago, Fabio Quartararo was on top of the world, delivering Yamaha their first premier class title since Jorge Lorenzo. But since his 2021 MotoGP Championship, Yamaha’s performance has sharply declined.

The YZR-M1, once considered the smoothest and most agile machine on the grid, has fallen behind the likes of Ducati, Aprilia, and even KTM. Quartararo, still just 26 years old, has grown increasingly frustrated with Yamaha’s inability to evolve, highlighting a stark contrast to his early career success.

Pre-Season Hopes Dashed by Inconsistency

Pre-season testing in 2025 suggested that Yamaha had made notable progress, particularly with the ride height device and engine performance. Quartararo’s performances in qualifying initially backed that up — he is the only rider other than Marc Marquez to secure a pole position this year, claiming an impressive four poles, including a stunning three-race streak from Jerez to Silverstone.

But what should have been the start of a championship charge quickly fell apart on race day. While Quartararo has been the Saturday hero, delivering jaw-dropping pole laps, Sunday has been his downfall.

Heartbreaking Retirements Leave Quartararo Empty-Handed

The 2025 season has been a nightmare of missed opportunities. Quartararo finished second at Jerez but then suffered three devastating DNFs at Le Mans, Silverstone, and Aragon, with the first two races coming from pole position.

The British Grand Prix was particularly cruel. Quartararo was dominating the weekend and seemed destined for his first win of the year, but a critical failure of the ride height device ended his race prematurely, leaving both rider and team heartbroken.

Since those three consecutive retirements, Quartararo has struggled to find his rhythm, finishing outside the top ten in several races. Yamaha’s failure to provide a consistent and reliable package has left their star rider calling for “desperate changes.”

Warning Signs at Mugello and Assen

The frustration peaked at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, where Quartararo warned the team pre-race that they could “get lost” — and that’s exactly what happened. He could only manage a dismal 14th place, beaten by Pramac’s Miguel Oliveira, marking the first time this season that the Portuguese rider had outpaced him on track.

At Assen, things briefly looked up. Quartararo expressed optimism before the race weekend, something rare in 2025. He proved his point with another sensational pole position but once again fell victim to race-day struggles, crashing out in the Sprint and finishing a disappointing 10th in the main Grand Prix.

These inconsistencies have left Quartararo questioning whether Yamaha can give him a winning bike in time to save their partnership.

Fabio Quartararo’s Future Hinges on the New V4 Project

Quartararo is contracted to Yamaha through 2026, but he has made his intentions clear: if the new V4 prototype doesn’t deliver results early next season, he will explore other options.

The V4 project, first reported by Mowmag, represents a radical departure from Yamaha’s long-standing inline-four philosophy. Instead of evolving the current M1, Yamaha is reportedly building a “completely redesigned bike” from the ground up, aimed at competing with Ducati and KTM, who have dominated with their V4-powered machines.

The Frenchman wants to see this new prototype on track “as early as the end of this season”, putting intense pressure on Yamaha’s engineers to fast-track development and testing.

Quartararo’s Clear Warning: Deliver or I’m Gone

Quartararo has made no secret of his frustrations. After years of loyalty to Yamaha, he is running out of patience. His warning is clear:

“I’ll decide after the first three or four races of 2026 whether to stay at Yamaha.”

This ultimatum leaves Yamaha with a narrow window to prove they can deliver a championship-worthy machine. If they fail, the rider nicknamed “El Diablo” could be looking for a new home.

Carlo Pernat’s Prediction Now in Doubt

Long-time MotoGP insider Carlo Pernat previously suggested that Quartararo would stay at Yamaha “forever”, citing his deep ties to the team and past decisions to remain loyal despite tempting offers elsewhere.

But even Pernat’s confidence is now fading. Quartararo’s frustration is more visible than ever, and with the new technical regulations arriving in 2027, every team in the paddock will be reevaluating their lineups.

If the V4 bike fails to meet expectations, Quartararo may decide to leave Yamaha in search of a more competitive ride.

What Are Quartararo’s Options?

If Quartararo hits the market for 2027, his options will be plentiful. With MotoGP contracts typically lasting two years, almost every seat could theoretically be open.

• Ducati: Always a tempting destination, though their current stable of riders is stacked with talent like Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

• KTM: Continually improving and boasting a competitive V4 machine, KTM could be a strong fit.

• Aprilia: A rising force in MotoGP, but would Quartararo want to follow in the footsteps of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales?

• Honda: Rebuilding from a disastrous era, but they remain the most iconic team in MotoGP.

• Suzuki: No longer in the paddock, but any manufacturer returning for 2027 would surely court Quartararo.

Yamaha’s Pressure Cooker Situation

Yamaha has placed enormous emphasis on the new V4 prototype. This isn’t just about keeping Quartararo happy; it’s about saving the team from sliding into irrelevance.

If the V4 project fails, Yamaha risks losing its star rider and falling behind permanently in the development race against Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia.

The team has already started running prototype parts and is expected to conduct more aggressive testing later this season. They will need to deliver improvements not just in engine performance, but also in electronics, aerodynamics, and reliability — all areas where Yamaha has lagged behind.

Quartararo’s Loyalty Tested Like Never Before

Since joining MotoGP in 2019, Quartararo has shown remarkable loyalty to Yamaha. He stuck with them through the tough 2022 and 2023 seasons, rejecting offers from rival manufacturers who promised him faster bikes.

But that loyalty is now being tested like never before. Quartararo has made it clear that his future is tied to winning, not sentimentality.

If Yamaha fails to meet his expectations, the 2025 season may mark the beginning of the end for one of MotoGP’s most iconic partnerships.

Can Yamaha Deliver in Time?

The coming months will be critical. Yamaha needs to show serious progress in testing and race weekends before the 2026 season kicks off. Quartararo has already hinted that he wants to evaluate the bike in the first three or four races, meaning Yamaha essentially has until April or May of next year to convince him to stay.

If they do, Quartararo could lead them into the new era of MotoGP. If not, they risk losing the rider who delivered their last world championship.

Final Thoughts: The Clock Is Ticking

Fabio Quartararo’s 2025 season has been one of missed opportunities, growing frustrations, and unfulfilled potential. While the Frenchman continues to shine on Saturdays, his Sundays have been marred by mechanical failures and poor race pace.

The launch of Yamaha’s new V4 project represents a last-ditch effort to keep their star rider and return to the top of MotoGP. But time is running out.

For now, all eyes will be on Quartararo and Yamaha. Can they turn things around before it’s too late? Or will 2026 mark the final chapter of one of MotoGP’s most iconic partnerships?