Quartararo Leaves, Martin Arrives: Yamaha’s Factory Team Reset for 2027

• Yamaha confirmed the departure of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins at the end of the 2026 season on June 30, 2026.
• Quartararo moves to the Honda factory team in 2027, reportedly on a two-year deal.
• The Yamaha factory team is set to line up with Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura in 2027.

Eight years after joining forces, one of the defining partnerships in recent MotoGP history comes to an end. Yamaha Motor Co. announced on June 30, 2026, that its collaboration with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will conclude at the end of the current season. This confirms what had been building for weeks and clears the way for an entirely new factory lineup in 2027.

Why Is Fabio Quartararo Leaving Yamaha?

Quartararo is leaving Yamaha because rider and manufacturer could no longer agree on a shared future, and competitive prospects had faded. The Frenchman won the world title in 2021 and finished as runner-up in 2022, after which Yamaha fell behind technologically.

In recent years, Ducati and Aprilia set the pace in MotoGP while the M1 was rarely competitive. Despite this trajectory, Quartararo extended his contract by two years in 2024, partly because personnel changes within the Yamaha structure convinced him to stay. In autumn 2025, the manufacturer launched a V4 project that has so far failed to deliver the hoped-for progress. Top results became the exception for Quartararo, and his frustration was increasingly visible.

Where Is Quartararo Heading in 2027?

Quartararo is moving to the Honda factory team in 2027. According to media reports, the 27-year-old has signed a two-year contract, though an official confirmation from Honda is still pending.

For Quartararo, the move represents a fresh start with a manufacturer that has also been struggling to keep up with the European competition for years. David Alonso is mentioned in media reports as a possible teammate, though this pairing has not been confirmed.

How Does Quartararo Reflect on His Time at Yamaha?

Quartararo said his farewell with a personal message, emphasizing that Yamaha had been a fundamental part of his career. He entered MotoGP in 2019 as a rookie in the Yamaha satellite team and took over the factory seat from Valentino Rossi in 2021. “After eight seasons, the time has come for me to close an important chapter of my career,” he explained.

He thanked the manufacturer for giving him the opportunity to compete at the highest level and for believing in him throughout the years. Reflecting on their shared achievements, he noted they had experienced a world championship title, eleven victories, podium finishes and pole positions. “Yamaha is not just a team to me – it is a part of my story, my growth as a rider and as a person,” the Frenchman said. The right moment for a new challenge had arrived.

Yamaha also offered words of appreciation. Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, spoke of the important role Quartararo and Rins had played in the MotoGP project and highlighted the manufacturer’s gratitude for their commitment over the years. Quartararo would “always remain one of the true legends of Yamaha MotoGP,” he said.

What Does the Departure Mean for Alex Rins?

Alex Rins’ future remains open, and a continued presence in MotoGP appears unlikely at this point. The 30-year-old Spaniard joined the Yamaha factory team in 2024 from previous stints at Suzuki and Honda but was unable to recapture his best form there.

Rins struggled with the M1 as well as with multiple injuries in recent years. His career record includes 18 Grand Prix victories according to media reports, six of them in the premier class. Yamaha highlighted his experience and his contribution to the development of the YZR-M1.

What Will the Yamaha Factory Team Look Like in 2027?

The Yamaha factory team is set to line up with Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura in 2027. Both names have been established for some time, with Yamaha announcing that official confirmation would follow at a later date.

In Martin, Yamaha gains a rider who is leading the current 2026 season. Ahead of the German GP, the Spaniard sits atop the riders’ standings with 193 points, narrowly ahead of Marco Bezzecchi on 186. Ogura, currently racing with the Trackhouse team, is also among this year’s rising stars. Yamaha could therefore be among the manufacturers completely replacing their factory lineup for 2027.

➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: 2026 MotoGP Season: The Complete Overview – Teams, Riders, Calendar & Championship Standings. Find all key information on this topic in one place.

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