Breaking news
MotoGP
Quartararo admits he “can’t replace” Rossi at Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo admits he “can’t replace” Valentino Rossi when the Frenchman steps up to the factory Yamaha squad in 2021 and is simply “taking his bike”.
Lewis Duncan
Edited: Oct 2, 2020, 12:19 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion Rossi will take Quartararo’s place at Petronas Yamaha next season, after a one-year deal with the Malaysian outfit and Yamaha was announced last weekend.
Yamaha moved to sign Quartararo amidst keen interest from Ducati on the 2019 rookie sensation, with Rossi’s original plans to assess his performances in the opening rounds before taking a decision on his future forcing him to be moved out of the works squad.
Quartararo’s deal with Yamaha to partner Maverick Vinales at the factory team runs through to 2022.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Quartararo says he was “pleased” back in January that Yamaha believed in him for its future – but feels “nobody can touch” Rossi’s “place”.
“I was quite surprised because we make the choice quite fast in the beginning of the year,” Quartararo said when asked if Yamaha signing him over Rossi was a boost to his confidence.
“Even the end of last year. But it was good. [I’m] really happy that Yamaha believes in me for the two next years in their team.
“So, will feel strange to have the bike of Vale – not the place – the bike.
“So, [I’m] really happy, but we need to keep focusing on this year to be in a position to face the grands prix.
“For me, I can’t replace him because Valentino is Valentino. I’m taking his bike, of course it will be a new bike.
“But I’m not taking his place. His place is still there because he made history with Yamaha. I think they spent close to 10 years together.
“So, for me, the place of Valentino nobody can touch it and I’m just taking his bike, and his place will be there forever.”
Read Also:
- Rossi: "In my heart, I didn’t trust doubts" over MotoGP future
- Yamaha: Rossi’s 2021 MotoGP deal took six months to finalise
Rossi will receive full factory support and machine parity with Quartararo and Vinales next year.
He pushed to have his current crew come with him from the factory team, though will only be able to bring crew chief David Munoz, data analyst Matteo Flamigni and rider coach Idalio Gavira with him.
Rossi’s deal is only for one year rather than the 1+1 he originally requested, with Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis explaining last weekend that this was a result of a “technicality” in that the Japanese marque currently doesn’t have a deal in place with MotoGP or Petronas past 2021.
Quartararo leads the 2020 world standings by eight points after securing his third win of the year last weekend at Catalunya, while Rossi admits his title hopes are “closed” after a crash from second dropped him to 50 points adrift.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Espargaro “not really enjoying” riding Aprilia in 2020
Next article Morbidelli “looking forward” to Rossi fight in 2021
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Lewis Duncan
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
MotoGP
MotoGP
German GP
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
What’s behind MotoGP’s right-hander chaos in Germany practice?
MotoGP
MotoGP
German GP
What’s behind MotoGP’s right-hander chaos in Germany practice?
More from
Valentino Rossi
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Endurance
Endurance
NLS8
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Lando Norris earns emotional praise from MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi
Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Lando Norris earns emotional praise from MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
Latest news
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
Indy NXT
IndL Indy NXT 14 min
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 51 min
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
Bourdais, Moss headline second batch of Sebring's 75 all-time greatest drivers
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Bourdais, Moss headline second batch of Sebring's 75 all-time greatest drivers
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe