Fabio Quartararo staying “a little bit out” of Yamaha development as frustrations grow

Fabio Quartararo revealed he is trying to stay a “little bit out” of Yamaha’s bike development process amid mounting frustrations with its V4 project in MotoGP.

The Japanese manufacturer’s decision to abandon its long-running inline-four engine configuration has left it firmly on the back foot in 2026, even as management remains convinced it will pay off in the long term.

Quartararo has never been fully convinced by that direction and is understood to have agreed a deal to move to Honda for MotoGP’s 850cc era next year.

While that switch was always going to mean that he would have no role in the design of Yamaha’s next-generation prototype, Quartararo has now indicated that he is also not actively involved in the development of the current M1 - a choice driven by his own stance rather than any contractual limitations.

Asked about the internal dynamics within the team, Quartararo said: “It's normal. Now, I try to be a little bit out of the developments because I think that I've already said what we need and what they have to do, but I will not repeat it every time.

“They know what I said, they know about all the riders said, and that's it.”

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Quartararo’s stance follows a poignant remark over the US GP weekend, where he claimed Yamaha had “no idea” how to resolve its issues and emerge from its longest slump in MotoGP.

The Iwata-based brand is currently working on an updated version of the M1, including a revised engine, but has yet to offer a clear timeline for its introduction.

With Yamaha having scored just nine points across the opening three rounds, Quartararo stressed that it needs a significant upgrade to turn around its fortunes in MotoGP.

“I have not really had any news about what is coming, but for sure, something big needs to happen,” he said.