In the MotoGP paddock, some statements resonate like revelations. And the one uttered by Johann Zarco about Fabio Quartararo certainly didn't go unnoticed. For the French rider, seeing his compatriot join Honda HRC in 2027 wouldn't just be logical… it would be practically a given.
For several months, the name of Quarterly rumors circulate insistently behind the scenes in the paddock. After frustrating seasons at Yamaha Factory Racing, the 2021 world champion, seems to have lost patience. The man who brought the M1 to the top had high hopes for the new V4 engine promised for 2026. But progress is slow, and the idea of a departure towards Honda The prospect of 2027 – the year the new MotoGP regulations with 850cc engines come into effect – is becoming increasingly concrete.
Quarterly will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season. And on the other hand... HondaThe cards could be reshuffled: Joan mir et Luca marini they too are reaching the end of their commitment, while only Johann zarco et Diogo Moreira currently have a clear contractual horizon around 2027.
In this context, the arrival of Quarterly could transform the balance of the project Honda. And zarco He himself does not rule out this hypothesis at all.
« Well, that would be good. ", told zarco à MOW that holds the top spot. " He's really the only one who can get the most out of the Yamaha, so I wouldn't be surprised if he could go very fast on the Honda. »
A statement heavy with meaning. Because in the paddock, many now acknowledge that Quarterly became the only pilot capable of getting the most out of the Yamaha .
Honda dreams of a leader by 2027
Since his world title in 2021, the Nice native has established himself as the absolute benchmark among Yamaha The numbers speak for themselves: since that time, no other driver from the Iwata brand has managed to compete with him over the long term.
The last one to have overtaken Quarterly in the MotoGP standings goes back to 2020: Franco Morbidelli, when they were teammates at Petronas SRT.
Since, Quarterly dominated all the drivers Yamaha season after season, with impressive gaps: 231, 206, 70, 82 then 122 points ahead depending on the year.
For alex rinsThis internal dominance is even comparable to what a certain champion achieves in Formula 1.
Selon's, Quarterly pushes the Yamaha in areas that no one else can reach – an ability he compares to that of Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
One of the Frenchman's secrets? His braking. Kidneys says Quarterly is capable of braking up to 20 meters later than other drivers, a quality that allows him to compensate for some of the limitations of the M1.
On the side of HondaThe objective is clear: to prepare for the 2027 regulatory era with a driver duo capable of aiming for the title again, a crown that has eluded the Japanese brand since 2019.
From this perspective, the arrival of Quarterly would be a major coup. Especially since its profile – pure speed, braking precision, and the ability to get the most out of an imperfect motorcycle – perfectly matches the needs of a Honda under reconstruction.
And if we believe zarcoThe question may not be whether Quarterly would be quick on the Honda… But rather, to what extent it could be.
