Cal Crutchlow makes bold Fabio Quartararo prediction after Honda move
Quartararo is trading one big factory for another (Credit: Apex Agency)
15:30, 06 Aug
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Like many MotoGP fans, Cal Crutchlow is buzzing to see Fabio Quartararo on a Honda.
In one of the biggest moves of the MotoGP season, 2020 champion Quartararo announced he will swap Yamaha for the most successful team in the sport's history.
The Frenchman has raced for Yamaha since graduating to the premier class in 2019, first with the satellite squad before winning his debut year with the factory team.
A close second behind Pecco Bagnaia followed in 2021, but since then it’s been all downhill, finishing 10th, 13th and 9th, while he sits in what would be a career-worst 14th in 2026.
A split was obviously coming for both parties, and with a new set of technical regulations in 2027, there’s every chance Honda could stage a comeback, having also dropped out of title contention in recent years.
Someone who knows both of the Japanese manufacturers very well, Cal Crutchlow, gave his take on the latest big move in the rider market.
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Former Honda rider expects Quartararo to flourish
“I think it'll be good,” he said ahead of another substitute appearance at his home British Grand Prix.
“I know the way Fabio rides. I also know his character and personality. He wants to win, and Honda want to win.
“There's no reason why that won't be, let's say, a match made in heaven. I think it's a good move for both sides.
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“For Honda to go and sign a world champion like Fabio, considering the way he rides, I think he'll do very, very well.
“And for Fabio to join a team that wants to get back to winning ways, I think it'll be exciting.”
He added: “I think it's exciting for a lot of the championship, the rider moves that have happened.
“Fabio is a great rider - probably one of the most talented riders on the grid - and he works hard as well. So I can see that being a very good combination.”
Honda still weighing up its second factory rider
Quartararo’s teammate for next season is unknown, despite Honda having signed their pool of four riders.
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The man Crutchlow is standing in for at LCR Honda, Johann Zarco, is signed with the satellite team next season.
HRC have since penned his teammate Diogo Moreira to a new deal, along with Moto2 title contender David Alonso.
However, which of the pair will be racing for the top team is still yet to be decided.
Responding to Alonso’s signing, Moreira said: “For sure it will be like this all weekend with these questions.
“But in the end we're in the same situation - we're waiting. I don't need to think about that. I think we have much more important things to think about.
“At the end we need to do our job during the season and stay focused this weekend. Let's see. There will surely be some news soon.”
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