According to multiple consistent reports, Fabio Quartararo could leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 season to join Honda as early as 2027. This move would happen in the context of new technical regulations and after several seasons of sporting tensions.
The MotoGP paddock could experience a significant shift by 2027. According to information revealed by Motorsport.com, Honda has already finalized the signing of Fabio Quartararo for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This change would mark the end of a collaboration that began in 2019 with Yamaha and would open a new chapter for the 2021 world champion in a different technical and sporting environment.
This scenario, long discussed in the paddock, initially seemed postponed to 2026. However, the latest revelations suggest an accelerated timeline. The decision would have been made even before the official launch of the 2026 season, scheduled for next February 27. An anticipated decision that reflects a desire to not tie the future to the outcome of Yamaha’s V4 project.
A tense climate with Yamaha for several seasons
For several years, the relations between Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha seemed marked by growing differences. The French rider has never concealed certain reservations about the manufacturer’s ability to return sustainably to the forefront. Despite a contract extension announced in April 2024 with significant financial and technical commitments, frustration seemed to persist over the months.
Yamaha has nonetheless undertaken profound changes. European engineers have been recruited, and a V4 engine has been developed to replace the traditional inline-four. This change represented a major shift for the Japanese manufacturer. Fabio Quartararo was skeptical of this technical turn, preferring to see the results on the track before committing long-term.
The past season confirmed this disconnect. The French rider remained the only Yamaha representative regularly capable of fighting at the front. Five pole positions were obtained, and a victory was within reach before being compromised by a technical problem at Silverstone. These isolated performances highlighted the persistent limits of the machine, despite the efforts made.
An agreement with Honda amid new regulations
Still according to Motorsport.com, an agreement has already been made for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This period will coincide with the implementation of new technical regulations in MotoGP. Honda, also struggling in recent seasons, may view this signing as a strategic move to support this transition.
The Tokyo manufacturer has gone through a challenging period, particularly marked by the departure of Marc Márquez. However, signs of progress were observed last year. Honda managed to emerge from the last group of concessions, evidence of a technical dynamic considered clearer than before. This evolution weighed in on the reflection around the sports project proposed to Fabio Quartararo.
The French rider is therefore preparing for a final phase with Yamaha, around a significantly revamped bike, before moving to Honda in 2027. This year of transition could serve as a testbed, without a long-term commitment to the new V4 engine.
A symbolic departure after a significant collaboration
The envisioned transfer would mean the end of a strong association between Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha. Since debuting in MotoGP in 2019, the record remains substantial. Eleven victories, thirty-three podiums, twenty-one pole positions, and a world title in 2021 are on their joint record. This period shaped the image of the French rider as a central figure in the Yamaha project, before the gradual decline of the manufacturer in the hierarchy.
Signs of a possible split had multiplied. Despite measured statements and the expressed desire to take time, “El Diablo” would have ultimately decided, according to the same sources. The saga announced for 2026 would thus find its conclusion much earlier than expected.
Who will be the teammate at Honda in 2027?
The question of the teammate remains open. Aside from a few riders already signed beyond 2026, the market is expected to be very open. Joan Mir and Luca Marini, current holders at Honda, only have contracts running until the end of the 2026 season.
Still according to Motorsport.com, Honda would like to take the time to evaluate several parameters before designating a teammate. Performance, adaptation to the new regulations, and overall project coherence would be at the heart of the consideration. No official announcement has yet been made at this stage.
If this transfer were to be confirmed, the MotoGP landscape would be altered. The move of Fabio Quartararo to Honda would represent a calculated but structuring gamble during a pivotal period for the discipline. He could find himself on a machine that his compatriot Johann Zarco is familiar with, having been in the Honda’s satellite team, LCR, for two years. A collaboration that may have tipped the balance in favor of Honda, especially since the two men appreciate each other. No official communication from either party is expected before March-April.
