Fabio Quartararo has admitted that his decision to join Honda for the 2027 MotoGP season is a gamble, but believes the Japanese manufacturer gave him enough answers to make the move worthwhile.
Speaking to the media at the British MotoGP at Silverstone, Quartararo addressed his future publicly for the first time since Honda officially confirmed his arrival for the new 850cc and Pirelli era.
The 27-year-old will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 season after spending his entire MotoGP career with the manufacturer. Quartararo made his premier-class debut with Yamaha's satellite team in 2019 before winning the 2021 world title with the factory squad.
His relationship with Yamaha has produced 12 victories and 32 podiums in his first four seasons, but results have dropped significantly since then. He has managed just four podium finishes over the following four seasons, prompting him to seek a new challenge.
"I hope a winning bike," Quartararo said when asked what he expects from Honda. He also stressed that he remains focused on finishing his Yamaha career strongly, with 11 races still to go in the 2026 season.
Quartararo said the decision to leave Yamaha was driven by a desire for a complete change, both mentally and technically.
"I need fresh air, new people, new project," he explained, adding that he felt it was the right time to move on after eight years with Yamaha.
Source: iMotorbike News
The switch will also see Quartararo part ways with long-time crew chief Diego Gubellini. He plans to bring only one mechanic from Yamaha, preferring to start his Honda chapter with a largely new group around him.
The move comes at a particularly uncertain time in MotoGP, with the championship set to introduce smaller 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres in 2027. Quartararo acknowledged that choosing a manufacturer ahead of such major technical changes carries an element of risk, as the current competitive order may not carry over into the new era.
However, he believes Honda's progress and its plans for the future ultimately convinced him.
"We had many meetings with different teams, and with Honda I had my questions really well answered," Quartararo said. "This is what made me want to step there."
Honda has endured a difficult period in recent years, and its current bike has only been marginally more competitive than Yamaha's during the final season of the 1000cc and Michelin regulations. Quartararo nevertheless sees potential in the manufacturer's long-term project.
For now, the Frenchman still has half a season left with Yamaha and is approaching the remainder of 2026 with a more modest target. Returning to Silverstone, where he came close to ending Yamaha's victory drought last year before a ride-height device failure, Quartararo admitted the current V4 machine does not give him the same level of confidence.
"We don't have the same potential as last year, unfortunately," he said.
Quartararo currently sits 14th in the 2026 championship, although he has more than twice the points of team-mate Alex Rins. His priority for the remaining races is to qualify well, build a strong race pace and finish as high as possible before beginning his new chapter with Honda in 2027.
