No Longer the Number One Rider? Fabio Quartararo Warned About His Attitude After Poor Results

The 2025 MotoGP season was supposed to be the year that Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha bounced back from years of frustration. Instead, it has been a confusing mix of promise and disappointment. While Quartararo’s raw speed is undeniable, his inability to convert pole positions into race wins has led to growing tension inside the Yamaha garage—and now, his attitude has come under scrutiny.

A Season of Highs and Lows for Fabio Quartararo

After two underwhelming seasons, Yamaha finally brought meaningful upgrades to the M1 bike during the winter break. The improved machine allowed Quartararo to rediscover some of the blistering one-lap pace that made him a world champion in 2021. So far in 2025, the French star has claimed four pole positions, more than any other rider this season.

But despite these impressive Saturdays, Quartararo has yet to stand on the top step of the podium on Sunday. Instead, races have brought heartbreak after heartbreak. Whether due to technical failures, tire degradation, or simply being unable to sustain race pace, Quartararo’s title hopes are fading fast.

The Dutch GP Disaster: A Sign of Deeper Problems

The most recent low point came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where Quartararo suffered what he described as a “disaster” after dropping nine positions during the race. Once again, his Saturday success meant little when the lights went out on Sunday.

This pattern has become all too familiar for Quartararo and Yamaha in 2025. They start strong in qualifying but fail to translate that into consistent race results. This is not what one would expect from a rider of Quartararo’s caliber and a factory team like Yamaha.

Frustration Boiling Over: Quartararo’s Warning to Yamaha

Following his latest setback, Quartararo’s patience with Yamaha appears to be running thin. Despite remaining loyal to the team through difficult times, the Frenchman has begun issuing public warnings.

Earlier this season, after another race was lost due to a ride height device malfunction at the British Grand Prix, Quartararo bluntly stated:

“I’m ready to win races. If Yamaha can’t give me that, I will look elsewhere.”

The British GP was particularly painful. Quartararo was leading the race and looked set to secure his first win of the season until the technical issue forced him to retire. For a rider who has consistently shown he can fight for wins on the right machinery, these mechanical problems are unacceptable.

Fonsi Nieto’s Advice: “Calm Down”

After Quartararo’s heartbreaking British GP retirement, Pramac Racing’s Fonsi Nieto revealed a touching post-race moment in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

Nieto explained:

“For a tiny technical thing, everything went to waste, but I think that if you get three poles and you have a race in your pocket, it’s close. After the race, I hugged Fabio and told him to calm down, it’s just around the corner.”

Nieto’s message was clear: stay patient, the victories will come. But with each missed opportunity, that patience is wearing thinner.

Yamaha’s New V4 Bike: The Silver Lining?

One reason for optimism in the Yamaha camp is the anticipated arrival of their all-new V4 engine platform, which is rumored to be debuting later this season. Yamaha has traditionally used an inline-four engine layout, which has struggled to match the top-end power of the Ducati and KTM V4s.

The V4 bike is expected to bring Yamaha closer to their rivals on straight-line speed and overall race pace—an area where Quartararo has been at a disadvantage for years. The question is whether this upgrade will arrive soon enough to salvage Quartararo’s 2025 season.

Quartararo’s Confusing 2025 Statistics

The most baffling part of Quartararo’s season is the contrast between his qualifying speed and his race-day struggles:

• 4 pole positions, leading the series

• Only 4 top-10 finishes all year

• Best race finish: 2nd place at Jerez

• Current championship position: 11th overall

These numbers paint a frustrating picture. Quartararo has the pace to compete at the front but is let down by a combination of technical faults and poor race-day execution.

The Psychological Toll of Losing

Beyond the technical issues, the mental side of racing is becoming a concern. Quartararo’s public frustration could be starting to affect his performances. Riders like Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, and Marc Marquez have maintained a laser focus even through difficult periods, turning setbacks into motivation. Quartararo, on the other hand, seems increasingly irritated.

MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi famously emphasized the importance of composure during a difficult season. Quartararo must rediscover that mental balance if he hopes to lead Yamaha’s revival.

Is Fabio Quartararo Still Yamaha’s Number One Rider?

Despite his struggles, Quartararo remains Yamaha’s best hope for success. His one-lap brilliance and proven race-winning pedigree make him an elite talent. But there are whispers in the paddock questioning whether he’s still the number one rider mentally.

Quartararo has done his part by committing to Yamaha through their lowest points. Now, the team must deliver a bike that matches his ambitions. But if they don’t, it’s no secret that rival teams—particularly Ducati’s satellite squads and KTM—would jump at the chance to sign him.

The Riders’ Championship Slips Further Away

After his second-place finish in Jerez earlier this season, Quartararo looked like he might claw his way back into the title fight. But in the five races since, he has managed just one top-10 finish, a lonely 10th place. Meanwhile, title rivals like Bagnaia, Martin, and Marquez continue to rack up podiums and wins.

With the championship now slipping out of reach, Quartararo’s focus may soon shift from title dreams to race-by-race redemption.

What Needs to Change for Quartararo to Win Again?

For Quartararo to return to the top step of the podium, several key changes need to happen:

1. Yamaha must fix their reliability issues. Too many races have been lost to technical faults.

2. The race pace of the M1 must improve. Yamaha has shown over one lap they’re competitive, but tire degradation and race pace still lag behind Ducati and KTM.

3. Quartararo must regain composure. Frustration will only lead to mistakes on track.

4. Strategic execution on Sundays. Yamaha’s race strategies, including tire choices and electronics setups, need to better match the demands of the full race distance.

The Road Ahead: Make or Break Time for Fabio Quartararo

Looking ahead, the next few races will be critical. The rumored debut of the Yamaha V4 bike could be a turning point, but it’s unclear whether it will arrive in time to change the narrative of Quartararo’s 2025 season.

If the new bike delivers the straight-line speed and stability Quartararo needs, a late-season resurgence is possible. If not, it’s hard to see him sticking with Yamaha beyond his current contract.

The Bigger Picture: Yamaha’s Struggle for Relevance

Beyond Quartararo’s personal story, Yamaha’s struggle reflects a larger crisis. Once a dominant force in MotoGP, Yamaha now finds itself playing catch-up to Ducati’s technical supremacy and KTM’s aggressive development.

If they cannot turn things around soon, they risk losing their star rider—and falling even further behind.

Conclusion: Will Fabio Quartararo’s Loyalty Be Rewarded?

Fabio Quartararo has shown remarkable loyalty and resilience through Yamaha’s dark times. He could have jumped ship to a faster Ducati or KTM, but instead, he chose to lead Yamaha’s rebuilding effort.

But every rider has a breaking point.

If the results don’t come soon, Quartararo’s loyalty may give way to ambition—and the MotoGP grid could see one of its biggest transfer shocks in recent years.

For now, the message from inside the Yamaha garage is simple: calm down, Fabio. The wins are coming.

But the clock is ticking. And for a rider who knows his worth, patience won’t last forever.