Fabio Quartararo “needs a winning project now” as Yamaha MotoGP frustrations mount
Yamaha has declined in recent years and Quartararo has not finished above 10th in the past couple seasons
Fabio Quartararo has told Yamaha in no uncertain terms that he “needs a winning project now” to remain with the MotoGP squad.
The 2021 world champion has grown frustrated with the Japanese marque after it was plagued by poor performance and reliability issues over recent years.
Quartararo, who led Friday afternoon practice for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, has only been on the podium once in the past two years with his last victory being Germany in 2022.
And the 26-year-old says his patience is wearing thin, despite being convinced by the team’s technical director Max Bartolini to keep faith in Yamaha.
“For this year the confidence is zero,” said Quartararo, who has ridden for Yamaha since his MotoGP debut in 2019.
“But a lot depends on the bike for next year. Max has big pressure on him. If I remain at Yamaha this year and next year, they can say a big ‘thank you’ to him because he was the one who changed my mind and really made me believe in the project.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
“But he knows he needs to make it work before next year and this is something super important for me and my mental health. It is super important we fight for victories next year.”
Quartararo, who was 14th last out in Italy, a run that ended three straight retirements, is highly sought after meaning he could jump ship.
“I am not enjoying it on the bike and right now this is what I need to enjoy, and to feel the happiness of being at the front,” the Frenchman added.
“This is what I need right now and why I am putting a lot of pressure on the team because I do not have a lot of time.
“I want to see facts but at the moment I don’t see anything and, to be honest, we are still very far but next year we have a new bike. Completely new, so I don’t think we are starting complete from zero but I need a change.
“The current bike has reached the limit and I need something new. But I need a winning project now.”
Yamaha is currently bottom of the 2025 constructors’ standings with Quartararo 10th in the riders’ championship.
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