Fabio Quartararo has conceded that he expects little improvement from Yamaha for the remainder of the 2026 MotoGP season, admitting the Japanese manufacturer is unlikely to introduce major updates despite its ongoing struggles.
The 2021 world champion has grown increasingly frustrated with Yamaha's lack of progress as the team continues to languish at the bottom of the constructors' standings. After seven rounds, Yamaha sits last with just 41 points, trailing even fellow Japanese rival Honda.
Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Quartararo acknowledged that he does not see Yamaha making a significant response to its poor form this year.
Source: kabaroto
According to the Frenchman, the challenge is made even greater by MotoGP's upcoming regulation changes in 2027. With manufacturers already investing heavily in the next generation of machinery, he believes there is little incentive for Yamaha to devote substantial resources to improving its current V4-powered bike.
"I don't see the reaction," Quartararo said when asked whether Yamaha could still turn its season around. He added that he expects the next six months to be difficult as the team continues working with a package that has shown limited progress since its introduction.
Yamaha's decision to switch from its traditional inline-four engine to a V4 configuration was intended to close the gap to European manufacturers. However, the project has failed to deliver the expected gains, leaving riders struggling to compete consistently near the front. Quartararo has repeatedly voiced concerns that the bike still lacks a clear development direction.
The French rider revealed that despite extensive testing and numerous setup changes, the feeling from the bike remains largely unchanged. He believes Yamaha's engineers need to find a more substantial breakthrough rather than relying on small adjustments.
Despite his disappointment, Quartararo insists he remains grateful to Yamaha for its support throughout his MotoGP career. However, his comments highlight the growing sense of resignation within the camp as attention increasingly shifts toward long-term projects rather than immediate results.
For now, Quartararo's focus is on extracting the maximum from the package available, even if expectations for the rest of the season have been significantly lowered. With Yamaha still searching for answers, the former champion appears resigned to a difficult campaign before the next chapter of his MotoGP career begins.
