Despite the results still falling short of expectations, Fabio Quartararo has shown his confidence in Monster Energy Yamaha by renewing his contract until the 2026 MotoGP season. This somewhat surprising decision sparked speculation about whether it was the sporting aspect or financial incentives that primarily motivated the rider.
The newspaper AS asked the Frenchman if he is bothered by comments suggesting he stayed with the Iwata-based manufacturer solely for the money. In response, the 2021 champion dismissed these theories, assuring that they don’t disturb him:
– A bit. A little because I know the reason why I stayed, and I have said it. It’s because of the project that is being developed and the way the people at Yamaha work. Of course, the financial part is a small factor among all the positives I noticed, which are more than just promises.
Quartararo revealed that Max Bartolini, who joined Yamaha at the beginning of the year from Ducati, was crucial in his decision to stay: ‘I went to see him in Milan in January and had several meetings with him. To be honest, he is basically the person who made me stay at Yamaha’.