Fabio Quartararo's First Words After Honda MotoGP Deal: Questions Well Answered

Fabio Quartararo has spoken for the first time since it was confirmed he will leave Yamaha and join Honda for the new 850cc and Pirelli era. Speaking to the media at the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Thursday, the Frenchman said the decision was right for his career.

Quartararo has been a Yamaha rider since his premier-class debut in 2019. After a strong start with 12 wins and 32 podiums in his first four seasons, his form has dipped, with only four podiums since. Asked what he hopes Honda can provide, he said: "I hope a winning bike. But of course, it's a chapter that ends with Yamaha."

"We have spent eight years together. The first ones were better than the last but we have been talking to teams since last year and [now it's finally] announced. So, really, really happy to join Honda, and looking forward. But we still have eleven races to go, so we need to keep focus on that," he added.

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The move means Quartararo will split from crew chief Diego Gubellini. He revealed only one mechanic will follow him from Yamaha. "I will have one mechanic following me from Yamaha. But I want to arrive, like I said, completely fresh, new people, and people that know already the [Honda] brand," he said.

Despite Honda's struggles, Quartararo sees progress and a promising future. "We know that they have been in a difficult situation also. But the growth they have made in the last years, the project that is going to be in the future, is something that made me want to go there - and some more things that I can't tell you," he said. He added: "With Honda, I had my questions really well answered."

The decision to move amid major regulation changes (850cc engines and Pirelli tyres) is seen as a gamble, but Quartararo insists it's calculated. "I think it's so difficult [to know which manufacturers will be most competitive next season]. The bikes that are working now, with all the changes and especially the tyres, maybe are not going to work next year. So of course, it's a gamble. But I will not say it's a complete gamble because I think there are many things behind that you need to think about," he explained.

Returning to Silverstone also brings back memories of last year's missed victory due to a ride-height device failure. However, he doubts Yamaha's new V4 will give him the same opportunity this weekend. "We don't have the same potential as last year, unfortunately. We know the turning of last year, the confidence we had with the front was completely different. So I'm not aiming for the same target as last year, but just trying to make my best, try to qualify good. I think that is the most important for us. And then make our pace and try to finish as high as possible," he concluded.