“I Need A Winning Project” – Quartararo Pressures Yamaha To Decide Future With V4 Engine

The clock is ticking for Fabio Quartararo—and he’s not afraid to say it out loud. The 2021 MotoGP world champion has issued a stark warning to Yamaha: deliver a winning bike in 2026 or risk losing him, not just physically, but mentally. The Frenchman has made it clear that his patience has worn thin, and the upcoming V4 engine project represents a make-or-break moment for the future of both rider and manufacturer.

The message? Time is running out—and Quartararo has no interest in waiting any longer.

From Glory to Struggles: A Star on the Decline

Since his meteoric rise in 2019 with Petronas Yamaha SRT, Fabio Quartararo quickly became one of MotoGP’s brightest stars. With seven podiums in his rookie season, a win in his sophomore year, and a dominant world title in 2021, it seemed like he was destined for a long reign at the top.

But that championship turned out to be the beginning of a troubling descent.

Yamaha has failed to win a MotoGP race since the middle of 2022. Since then, Quartararo has managed just four podiums, and the M1 has consistently underperformed against its V4-powered rivals. The 26-year-old’s frustration has grown with each passing race, and after a career-worst 13th place finish in 2024, he’s had enough.

“What I want to see are the facts,” Quartararo said. “And right now, I don’t see anything.”

Why Quartararo Stayed With Yamaha

Most expected Quartararo to leave Yamaha at the end of 2024, especially with Ducati and KTM circling. But the Frenchman made the surprise decision to renew his contract through 2026, betting on Yamaha’s radical plan to overhaul its MotoGP program.

At the heart of this decision was Max Bartolini, Yamaha’s newly hired technical director and a former Ducati mastermind. According to Quartararo, it was Bartolini who convinced him to stay.

“He was the one who really changed my mind,” Quartararo revealed. “He made me believe in the project.”

But belief isn’t enough. Quartararo has now put “a lot, a lot, a lot of pressure” on Bartolini and Yamaha. The time for talk is over. The time for results is now.

Yamaha’s Bold Gamble: The V4 Engine Project

Yamaha has long been the last holdout of the inline-four philosophy in MotoGP, while Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Honda have all embraced V4 configurations. The M1’s smoother engine has traditionally prioritized corner speed over brute power, but in today’s era of aerodynamics and torque-heavy racing, that philosophy has become outdated.

Now, Yamaha is finally catching up.

A brand-new V4 engine is in development and set for a full launch in 2026, just in time to coincide with new technical regulations reducing engine size to 850cc and shifting to Pirelli tires. Test rider Augusto Fernandez is expected to debut the machine as a wild-card entry later this season.

While Yamaha insists they will only adopt the V4 if it proves superior in testing, all signs indicate they’re going all-in on the new concept.

“Normally, if everything goes according to plan, next year we will have a completely new bike with the V4,” Quartararo confirmed. “I don’t know if it’s starting from zero or not, but I think it’s something I need as well—a change.”

“I Don’t Have Any More Time” – Quartararo’s Ultimatum

The most chilling words from Quartararo’s recent interviews are not about strategy or lap times—but about mental health and burnout.

“It’s something very important for me, for my mental health,” he admitted. “I need to enjoy it on the bike… and right now I’m not.”

In his sixth season in MotoGP, and with over a dozen podiums to his name, Quartararo no longer wants to simply fight for points. He wants to fight for victories, and that window is closing fast.

“We have to fight for victories from next year,” he emphasized. “This year the confidence is zero.”

For a rider of his caliber, that’s a dangerous place to be.

Flashbacks of Greatness, But No Follow-Through

Despite the ongoing struggles, Quartararo has still shown glimpses of his old brilliance. In 2025, he’s already scored a podium in Spain and took back-to-back pole positions at Jerez, Le Mans, and Silverstone.

His best chance at victory came at Silverstone, where he led the race before a heartbreaking mechanical failure cost him everything. The moment left him in tears, not because of lost points, but because of lost faith.

“I need to feel the happiness of being in front,” he said. “And this is why I put a lot of pressure on them—I don’t have any more time.”

Yamaha’s Engineers in the Spotlight

The weight of expectation now falls squarely on Yamaha’s technical team. Max Bartolini and company must not only develop a competitive V4 engine, but also deliver a complete package that can match the likes of Ducati’s Desmosedici or KTM’s RC16.

Yamaha has also taken other steps to catch up:

• Securing Pramac as a satellite team for 2026

• Revamping its electronics strategy

• Investing in aerodynamics and ride-height tech

But Quartararo isn’t interested in future promises. He needs results in 2026—or sooner.

“It’s been two or three years that we’ve been trying to find a little bit of grip and it doesn’t work,” he said bluntly. “Now the technicians can give us something more.”

Historic Odds Are Against Him

No rider has ever won the MotoGP title after more than a three-year gap. Casey Stoner holds the record for longest gap between championships, winning in 2007 and again in 2011. Marc Marquez, who last won in 2019, is on track to break that record if he wins in 2025.

For Quartararo, who last won in 2021, the window is closing. If the V4 fails to deliver, he risks becoming another ‘what could have been’ story in MotoGP lore.

Where Quartararo Stands in 2025

Heading into the Dutch MotoGP at Assen, Quartararo is tenth in the standings, behind at least one rider from every major rival manufacturer: Ducati, KTM, Honda, and Aprilia. His teammate, Alex Rins, sits eight places behind, underscoring how much Quartararo continues to outperform the Yamaha M1’s potential.

Yet outperforming the bike isn’t enough. Not for a former world champion. Not for someone who once looked like the heir to Lorenzo and Rossi.

“I think the M1 has reached its limit,” Quartararo declared. “Now we need to start with something new. But I need a winning project now.”

The Future: Make or Break in 2026

Everything now hinges on Yamaha’s V4 bike. If the early tests show promise, Yamaha will have a chance to fight back. If the bike fails to deliver, they may lose their star rider—and more importantly, their identity in the sport.

Quartararo’s continued loyalty is admirable, but loyalty alone won’t keep him in blue. By the time 2026 arrives, he will be 27 years old and entering his peak years. He needs a bike that can keep up.

And if Yamaha doesn’t give it to him, you can bet Ducati, KTM, or even Aprilia will be ready to offer him the machine he deserves.

Final Thoughts: Yamaha’s Last Shot to Keep Their Star

Fabio Quartararo has drawn a clear line in the sand. He stayed. He believed. He waited. But he won’t wait much longer.

The V4 engine isn’t just an engineering decision. It’s a lifeline. It’s Yamaha’s final chance to prove they still belong at the top of MotoGP—and to show that Quartararo’s loyalty wasn’t misplaced.

Now, the pressure is on. And in MotoGP, pressure either creates champions—or crushes projects.