Fabio Quartararo's MotoGP Journey: A Pivotal Shift
Fabio Quartararo is on the cusp of a major transformation. He's facing the end of an era as Yamaha transitions from its iconic Inline engine to a V4 configuration for the 2026 season. The big question on everyone's mind: will he miss the old bike?
Quartararo himself isn't entirely sure. He acknowledges that his feelings will hinge entirely on how the new V4 performs. "Maybe I'm gonna miss it or not! We don't know how is next year's bike," he admitted. It's a sentiment that many fans can relate to – the anticipation of something new mixed with the nostalgia for what's being left behind.
"Of course, it will be good to switch to the V4, but maybe next year, I will miss this bike! It will also be a new step in my career, so let's see."
Quartararo's history with the Inline Yamaha is nothing short of impressive. He's spent his entire MotoGP career riding this machine, racking up 11 wins, 32 podium finishes, and the coveted 2021 world championship title. But after a challenging 2024 season, where his best result was a fifth-place finish, he showed signs of a comeback this year, even returning to the podium at Jerez.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Quartararo pointed out that Yamaha's development efforts shifted towards the 2026 bike. "I think the engineers were more focused on the 2026 bike," he stated. "So unfortunately, the improvement of the bike [during the 2025 season] was quite low." This strategic shift, while understandable, meant that the current bike's progress was somewhat stunted.
And this is the part most people miss...
When asked about the most significant progress made during the Inline machine's final season, Quartararo highlighted the advancements in electronics. "Step by step, we improved a bit on the engine power. Unfortunately, not enough, but we worked a lot, especially on the electronics, during this year. So the biggest step that we did was the electronics, to understand how I can adapt better, to be faster with less electronics. So this, I would say, was the biggest step that we did."
Quartararo finished the season in 9th place in the world championship, a significant improvement from 2024, scoring nearly twice as many points. The next best Yamaha rider, Jack Miller, finished in 17th.
What do you think? Will Quartararo thrive on the new V4, or will he miss the familiar feel of his Inline Yamaha? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
