After being criticised over the last few months for the M1’s lack of competitiveness, and even hinting that he might even be considering leaving Yamaha, the truth is that Fabio Quartararo has ended up renewing with the Japanese manufacturer and many believe that the reason is due to financial issues, something that he himself has admitted causes him some discomfort.
Speaking to AS, Quartararo admitted to being a little annoyed by the suggestion that his renewal was only due to the allegedly very financially advantageous offer: ‘A little (annoyed). Only a little because I know why I stayed, and I’ve already said it. It’s because of the project that’s being done and the way the people at Yamaha are working’.
However, the Frenchman didn’t deny that the huge contract ‘helped’ his decision: ‘Of course, the economy is a small reason for all the good things I’ve noticed, which are more than promises’.
With a contract for another two years, Quartararo believes there will soon be news and being more competitive will be a reality: ‘We need time. We need a year. At the start of the next one I think we’ll be in a different position than we are now. We’ll be prepared to talk like we did in the past and not think about whether or not we’d be able to get to Q2, and overtake more often than we do now’.
The former world champion has renewed his contract for another two years.