Earlier this month, Quartararo inked a recent multi-year take care of Yamaha, holding him with the Iwata-based producer till at the least the top of the 2026 season.
The brand new contract was agreed regardless of an underwhelming begin to the brand new marketing campaign for Yamaha, leaving the 24-year-old to combat for decrease reaches of the factors within the opening three rounds of the season.
It additionally adopted six-time champion Marquez’s name to go away Honda with a yr left on his contract and be a part of forces with the impartial Gresini Ducati team in 2024, a choice that has already allowed him to combat for podiums and race wins.
However whereas Quartararo didn’t observe within the footsteps of Marquez and elected to keep his faith in Yamaha, he believes the Spaniard’s determination to separate with Honda truly labored out in his favour.
He feels Marquez’s transfer to Gresini sprung Yamaha into motion, because it confirmed that high riders in MotoGP are prepared to commerce loyalty for extra aggressive equipment.
“It is a second that lots of people have been ready for,” the 2021 champion advised French broadcaster Canal+. “My alternative was to stick with Yamaha, not by default, however for the venture.
“I believe that Marquez’s departure from Honda to Ducati wakened lots of people at Yamaha.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“They’ve recruited a whole lot of new engineers, and a whole lot of issues are taking place in Italy slightly than in Japan.
“The velocity with which components could be modified has completely modified. I believe it was very attention-grabbing for me to proceed with Yamaha.”
Some factions have questioned Quartararo’s alternative to remain at Yamaha for 2025-26, amid its continued struggles in MotoGP over the previous few seasons.
Whereas the Japanese producer has been overhauling its MotoGP programme by bringing in new folks and altering its philosophy, whereas additionally profiting from the brand new concessions system, the jury is out on whether or not the work it’s placing in will yield the specified outcomes on observe.
Quartararo admitted that he did take into account transferring to a unique workforce earlier within the yr, however his determination was swayed by the quantity of assets Yamaha is dedicating to return to the sharp finish of the sphere.
“In fact, I completely perceive [that people have doubt about his choice] as a result of even I, a number of months in the past, was actually able to take my departure for one more workforce,” he mentioned.
“I am not going to say [which one] however after all, Yamaha is investing enormous sums to get a greater bike. I believe it is one of many solely manufacturers investing a lot on this venture.
“We’re already going to see some enhancements this yr. I believe that this yr might be very troublesome, already to combat for a number of podiums, however I believe that this yr might be crucial for the subsequent two.”
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