He was courted by several teams on the transfer market. Aprilia in particular. It was ultimately with Yamaha that Fabio Quartararo extended his contract for two additional years. The choice was surprising. Although he has been with the Japanese team since 2019, the 25-year-old driver has had a string of complicated seasons since his 2021 title, notably due to engine and aerodynamic problems. In 93 Grands Prix, the French driver has won 11 times and achieved 31 podiums.
🗨️ “I thought I would finish closer (…) We are taking small steps forward”
Despite a rather positive 7th place, the Yamaha’s pace is still not up to par for Fabio Quartararo #PortugueseGP | #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/RFiHnCDnoa
— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) March 24, 2024
In an interview which will be broadcast on Canal + on Sunday at 8:25 p.m. in the Grid, just before the start of the GP of the Americas, Fabio Quartararo returns to this new signing, which has raised its share of questions. “I totally understand,” he says. Because even I, a few months ago, I was really ready to leave for another team.” The first French world champion in the history of MotoGP explains the reasons which convinced him to stay.
“Honestly I think that the departure of Marquez has awakened a lot of people at Yamaha,” says the rider from Nice. It was a very important moment for them. There has been a change in mentality, they have recruited new engineers, a lot of things are happening in Italy rather than in Japan, the speed of changing a part has completely changed. It’s very interesting for me to continue with Yamaha.”
“It’s one of the only brands that invests so much”
Added to this is the fact that Yamaha is investing considerable sums to have a better motorcycle. “It’s one of the only brands that invests so much,” says the French driver who expects improvements in the short term. “I think this year it will be very difficult to fight for a few podiums but this season will be very important to build on the next two.”
Salary, a significant factor
“Fabio knows our plans, his signing is a sign of confidence,” said Yamaha Motor Racing boss Lin Jarvis at the time of signing the contract. And to assure: “Fabio is the central pillar of the brand” in recent years. The British leader insists on the long-term vision that Yamaha wishes to have, even though victory has eluded it for almost two years. Jarvis says he is “aware of the gap to be reduced” and sees the Frenchman’s signing as “a sign of confidence”.
Fabio Quartararo had initially admitted that getting back into the game promised to be “very complicated” this year, however he was also banking on the future. At what price ? The French driver does not hide that the financial aspect was decisive. “We’re not going to lie to each other,” he said. As a rider, I have value, and Yamaha knows that very well. The primary reason is the project for the next few years but of course on a financial level, there is a small part taken into account in this contract. We won with Yamaha, we went to the lowest level for the last two years. But I want to go back with the brand that gave me the opportunity to change my career, the brand that changed my life.”
