Fabio Quartararo Bids Emotional Farewell to Yamaha After Eight Seasons

Fabio Quartararo has delivered an emotional farewell message after Yamaha officially confirmed that their eight-year partnership will come to an end following the 2026 MotoGP season. The 2021 MotoGP World Champion described the Japanese manufacturer as an important part of both his career and his personal journey.

The announcement marks the end of one of the most successful partnerships of Yamaha's modern MotoGP era. Quartararo joined Petronas Yamaha SRT as a rookie in 2019 before stepping up to the factory team in 2021, replacing Valentino Rossi. In his first season with the works squad, he secured the MotoGP World Championship and went on to collect 11 victories and 32 podium finishes with Yamaha.

Although the past few seasons have been filled with technical challenges and inconsistent results, Quartararo chose to reflect on his Yamaha career with gratitude rather than frustration, thanking everyone who supported him throughout the journey.

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"After eight seasons, the time has come for me to close an important chapter of my career. I sincerely want to thank Yamaha for giving me the opportunity to compete at the highest level, for believing in me, and for supporting me throughout all these years."

"Together we shared unforgettable moments: one world championship, eleven victories, podiums, pole positions, and above all, an incredible sporting and human journey that I will carry with me forever."

Quartararo also stressed that Yamaha represents far more than simply the team that gave him his MotoGP breakthrough, describing the manufacturer as a defining part of his development both on and off the motorcycle.

"Yamaha is not just a team to me—it is part of my story, part of my growth as both a rider and a person. Today feels like the right moment to embrace a new challenge, start a new chapter, and push myself toward new horizons. Thank you for everything. I will be forever grateful."

The announcement closes one of the most memorable chapters in Yamaha's recent MotoGP history. While both parties will move in different directions after 2026, Quartararo's achievements—including delivering Yamaha's most recent premier-class world title—will remain a lasting part of the manufacturer's legacy.