Fabio Quartararo has broken his silence on his confirmed departure from Yamaha MotoGP at the end of the 2026 season.
The Frenchman will end his eight-year stint representing the Japanese marque, with the expectation that he will join Honda in 2027 ahead of the new regulations.
Quartararo has only represented Yamaha throughout his eight-year career thus far, starting at the satellite Petronas outfit before receiving the factory seat in 2021.
“After eight seasons, the time has come for me to close an important chapter of my career,” he said on his social media.
“I want to sincerely thank Yamaha for giving me my chance at the highest level, for believing in me, and for supporting me throughout all these years.
“Together, we shared unforgettable moments: a world championship title, eleven victories, podiums, pole positions, and above all, an incredible human and sporting journey that I will carry with me forever.
“Yamaha is not just a team to me – it is a part of my story, my growth as a rider and as a person.
“Today, I feel it is the right moment to take on a new challenge, to start fresh, and to push myself toward new horizons.
“Thank you for everything. Forever grateful.”
Quartararo remains Yamaha’s most recent pole-sitter, podium finisher, race winner and MotoGP world champion.
The 27-year-old has claimed 11 wins, 32 podiums and 21 pole positions, most notably becoming just the third rider of the MotoGP era to win the world title with Yamaha, following Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
Yamaha has also confirmed the departure of Alex Rins at the end of the season, with 2024 MotoGP champion Jorge Martin and recent Dutch TT winner Ai Ogura set to replace the departing duo.
READ MORE – Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins to leave Yamaha MotoGP after 2026 season