Yamaha respond to Quartararo-Honda rumours: 'We'll have to accept it'
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is an accredited MotoGP reporter with four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries. His experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross/Motocross.
Yamaha's Managing Director Paolo Pavesio has weighed in on the rumours that star rider Fabio Quartararo could be departing the team at the end of the season for Japanese rivals Honda.
Rumours have already been circulating the MotoGP paddock before the season has even started, and they are some pretty dramatic ones at that. Fabio Quartararo, the face of Yamaha in MotoGP for the last few seasons, could be set to depart for Honda in what would be quite a shock transfer heading into the 2027 regulation changes.
Quartararo, who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2021 with Yamaha, has widely been seen as a mainstay for the Japanese team - though recent years have seen the manufacturer's performances slip to less competitive results.
Following the shock rumours that the French rider could be set to depart at the end of the season, Pavesio gave his thoughts in an interview with GPOne:
"I can only believe in what I know, and I can only speak for myself. I know that right now everyone is talking to everyone else, everyone wants to have the full picture. This isn't the Champions League where there are 40 teams and 500 players, here there are 22 riders, of whom five or six are top riders, and five manufacturers. It's obvious and normal that everyone is talking to everyone, but that doesn't mean there is any news. I have no information from Fabio or his manager."
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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
"We're all human. Fabio has already spoken to his team. This creates additiona stress, which doesn't make me happy because this is our first day in a long journey in which many people have put a lot of effort. [...] I'd be stupid to say I wouldn't want Fabio with us next year, I love the idea, as long as Fabio wants to stay. [...] If that's not possible, we'll have to accept it."
While the comments don't exactly clear things up with regard to the future of Quartararo or Yamaha, there has also been speculation that 2024 champion Jorge Martin could replace the Frenchman if the change does go ahead.
This follows on from rumours that Pedo Acosta has already signed for Ducati's factory team in 2027, with most people expecting he will replace Bagnaia at the end of the season.
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