Fabio Quartararo announced he will no longer be involved in Yamaha’s 2027 MotoGP development after the team denied him a chance to test new Pirelli tyres at the Red Bull Ring.
Yamaha Limits Quartararo’s 2027 Development Access
The 27‑year‑old 2021 world champion quit acting as Yamaha’s “test rider” after finishing last at the Aragon Grand Prix. He said the manufacturer would not allow him to ride the Pirelli 2027 compounds during the September in‑season test, a move that also kept him from sampling Yamaha’s 850 cc platform slated for next year.
Aragon Weekend: Test Rider in Swing
During the race weekend, Quartararo spent most of his time evaluating a new chassis, a revised link, and various other components. Despite the effort, he described the changes as “worse,” and finished 56 seconds behind Marc Márquez. He later expressed frustration at being reduced to an experimental rider, noting that “I was a test rider this weekend.”
Manufacturer Choices and Rider Departures
Yamaha’s decision is part of a broader trend: manufacturers are wary of letting riders who will depart in 2024 test new systems and engines. In contrast, Honda granted Luca Marini and Joan Mir access to its 2027 package, and KTM’s Pedro Acosta is testing for KTM while preparing to move to Ducati.
Future Moves: From Yamaha to Honda
After eight seasons with Yamaha, Quartararo will join Honda for 2025. He cited a loss of faith in the Iwata‑based team’s ability to resolve its 2027 bike issues, and he stated, “I’m not in a position to help. For personal reasons, I don’t want to help.” The rider added, “I just wanted to test in Austria, but Yamaha won’t let me ride on Pirelli tyres.”
Quartararo concluded that he is willing to help improve the current season’s bike but will not push himself as the test rider he did at the Aragon weekend. The move may prove pivotal for both the rider and Yamaha’s strategic direction heading into the 2027 season.
Photo by: Stephen Blackberry / NurPhoto via Getty Images
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