MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Monster Energy Yamaha Team Director Massimo Meregalli insists that Fabio Quartararo’s demands for a competitive 2026 bike have not altered the working atmosphere in the team’s pit box. Despite Quartararo’s warning that he may leave Yamaha if the 2026 bike underperforms, Meregalli says the team remains focused and professional.
Quartararo, who extended his contract with Yamaha for 2025 and 2026, has grown increasingly vocal about his dissatisfaction with the MotoGP project, particularly after tough races like the Austrian Grand Prix. The debut of Yamaha’s V4 M1 in San Marino in September marked a significant shift, but Quartararo’s initial feedback was mixed. After securing pole but finishing outside the top 10 in Australia, he reiterated that the V4 M1’s performance in early 2026 will determine his future with Yamaha.
Speaking during practice at the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang, Meregalli emphasized continuity within the team. “The box is nothing changed,” he told the MotoGP world feed. “We just do our job and we are absolutely committed to try to be where we would like to be.”
Meregalli highlighted the team’s dedication to its development plan, including testing the V4 to align with new regulations. “We had always the commitment that we have. [We brought] a completely new bike to try to get information about the new regulations. Difficult to say where we are and what will be in a few months. We are just following the plan and for sure we are not scared about the job that’s in front of us,” he added.
The V4 M1’s success is pivotal to keeping Quartararo beyond 2026. Meregalli confirmed further testing at the Valencian Grand Prix in November. “In the beginning, this race [Malaysia] was not in our plan, but we really wanted to do a wildcard in a really hot condition just to [test] the bike as much as possible,” he said. “The next will be Valencia, where all of our riders will have one V4 in the garage.”
This includes rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu, joining Quartararo, Jack Miller, and Alex Rins for the post-race Valencia test. Yamaha’s strong showing in Malaysia, with three riders—Quartararo, Miller, and Rins—in Q2, signals competitive potential despite challenging conditions.
Quartararo’s demands underscore the pressure on Yamaha to close the gap to rivals like Ducati and KTM. Sportrik’s in-depth analysis suggests the V4 M1 is a strategic move to align with future regulations and boost competitiveness. Meregalli’s focus on team stability reflects a professional approach amid external scrutiny.
Razgatlioglu’s arrival in 2026 adds intrigue, but Quartararo remains central to Yamaha’s project. The upcoming Valencia test will be critical for demonstrating progress to secure the 2021 world champion’s loyalty.
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