In MotoGP, tensions are running high at Yamaha: "Criticism has no place here."

This year, Fabio Quartararo has made his dissatisfaction with his situation at Yamaha quite clear. Through communication rarely seen at the highest levelThe Frenchman has said on numerous occasions that the YZR-M1 was not performing well, that he no longer had the time, etc. These words, of course, reached the ears of Yamaha management, who recently took the opportunity to respond to "El Diablo".

The German media speedweek, which needs no introduction, has unveiled an exclusive interview with Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha's MotoGP competition director, where the Italian also doesn't mince words. « On a human level, I understand his frustration at times.But we are all professionals and we are experiencing this adventure together. We offered him the opportunity to ride for Yamaha, and he accepted it.What he achieved during the first four years was incredible, because the motorcycle allowed him to do it. On the other hand, 2023 and 2024 were very bad years, but during the worst of them, we reaffirmed our mutual commitment. By 2025, we proved that we could turn things around. » he declared.

 

 

Quartararo himself questioned this commitment, through words that indirectly dissociated him from the V4 project, which will debut next year. « He has started from pole position five times and from the front row ten times.The motorcycle is obviously much faster on a flying lap, largely thanks to him. It's also faster in sprints and slightly faster over long distances. But the longer the race goes on, the more difficulties we encounter. And complaining publicly does not strengthen the company's commitment.We work because we, as a company, are committed. We are convinced we can build a better motorcycle, which could eventually convince Fabio to stay with us. But the reverse is not true. Our commitment is to Yamaha. We have a champion who is an extremely important element of our project. » he added very politely.

The next two years will be crucial for Yamaha: the Iwata-based firm will switch to a 1000cc V4 engine in 2026, before focusing on a new 850cc motorcycle in 2027. For now, Fabio Quartararo's contract runs until the end of the 2026 season. In such a complex project, such blunt criticism is unacceptable. “We have restructured the competition department with new people, we have a new team, a Moto2 project – all of this promises us a bright future. We have a long-term vision and we strive to improve every weekend and in every race"

« The better we perform, the better it is for the brand and the drivers.Overall, this creates a positive atmosphere. Public criticism has no place in this healthy process.Difficult times are acceptable in every respect, but technically speaking, I believe we hit rock bottom last year. We are more committed than ever to MotoGP and we want to get back to the top. That's the way it is, and there's nothing more Yamaha can do. The track is our judge; that's the law of the race. » he concluded. The message is clear…

What do you think of Paolo Pavesio's comments regarding Fabio Quartararo? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport