Fabio Quartararo has drawn a clear line with Yamaha, saying he no longer wants to contribute to the manufacturer's 2027 MotoGP development following a frustrating weekend at the Aragon Grand Prix.
The 2021 world champion endured another difficult round, finishing last in Sunday’s race after spending much of the weekend testing new components for Yamaha. With Quartararo set to leave the manufacturer for Honda next season, he now wants to focus on improving the current bike rather than helping develop a machine he will not race.
“As far as the future is concerned, I’m not in a position to help. And for personal reasons, I don’t want to help,” Quartararo said.
His frustration was particularly evident at Aragon, where Yamaha asked him to evaluate different chassis and other components. However, the changes failed to deliver the improvements he was looking for.
“I was more of a test rider this weekend. Testing three times the chassis, but it was not working,” he explained.
Source: Auto Hebdo
Quartararo has already spent much of the season helping Yamaha develop its new V4 engine, which is being prepared for the 850cc regulations that come into effect in 2027. Despite the extensive testing, he believes the process has produced too little progress.
The situation was made worse by Yamaha's decision not to allow him to take part in the upcoming Red Bull Ring test in Austria, where riders will have another opportunity to test Pirelli's 2027 tyres.
“I wanted to do the tests in Austria, but unfortunately, Yamaha don’t want me to ride on Pirelli tyres,” Quartararo said.
The decision has clearly frustrated the Frenchman, particularly as other manufacturers have allowed riders who are also changing teams to contribute to their 2027 programmes.
Honda, for example, has allowed Luca Marini and Joan Mir to test its 2027 package and Pirelli tyres despite their respective future plans. Pedro Acosta has also been involved in KTM's 2027 development despite his expected move to Ducati's factory team.
For Quartararo, the decision appears to mark the end of his involvement in Yamaha's long-term development programme.
With his move to Honda already confirmed for 2027, the Frenchman will now concentrate on extracting the maximum from Yamaha's current package for the remainder of the season.
For Yamaha, losing the input of a rider with Quartararo's experience could prove costly as it prepares for one of the biggest technical changes in MotoGP history. The dispute also highlights how difficult the final stage of the relationship between the former world champions and his current manufacturer has become.
