The 2025 MotoGP season has been a rollercoaster for Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, whose struggles with Yamaha have sparked intense scrutiny and warnings about his attitude. Despite flashes of brilliance, including four pole positions, Quartararo’s inability to convert qualifying pace into race results has raised questions about his status as Yamaha’s leading rider and his future with the team. With Yamaha languishing at the bottom of the constructors’ standings and Quartararo sitting 10th in the riders’ championship, the pressure is mounting on the Frenchman to deliver—or risk being overshadowed.

Quartararo’s season started with promise. His pole positions at Jerez, Le Mans, Silverstone, and Assen showcased his raw talent, with his Le Mans lap described as “probably the best of my career.” A second-place finish at Jerez marked his first podium since 2023, fueling hopes of a Yamaha revival. However, these highs have been overshadowed by consistent race-day disappointments. At the Dutch Grand Prix, despite starting from pole, Quartararo crashed in the Sprint and finished a distant 10th in the main race, 23.7 seconds behind winner Marc Marquez. The Italian Grand Prix was labeled a “disaster” as he slumped from fifth to 14th, plagued by rear grip issues. These results have exposed a stark gap between Yamaha’s qualifying speed and its race performance, particularly in acceleration from slow corners.

The frustration has been palpable, and Quartararo’s comments have drawn attention. After the Dutch Grand Prix, he admitted to a “mistake” in tire allocation that forced him to use a worn front tire, contributing to his Sprint crash. He also described the Yamaha’s lack of grip as feeling “like I’m riding on the wet” during early laps, making overtaking nearly impossible. Such candid critiques have led some within Yamaha to urge him to “calm down,” warning that his visible frustration could harm team morale. A Yamaha colleague reportedly advised Quartararo to temper his emotions, citing the team’s ongoing efforts to develop a competitive V4 engine for 2026. This warning comes as Yamaha faces “crunch time” to retain their star rider, whose contract expires at the end of 2026.

The pressure on Quartararo is compounded by Yamaha’s broader struggles. The M1, the only inline-four engine on the grid, lags behind the V4-powered bikes of Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, and Honda. Quartararo has been vocal about needing a “winning project now,” emphasizing that his patience is wearing thin. His decision to stay with Yamaha for 2025 was influenced by the team’s hiring of ex-Ducati engineer Max Bartolini and the addition of the Pramac satellite team, but the lack of race wins has reignited speculation about his future. Rival teams are circling, with some suggesting that 2027, when new 850cc regulations take effect, could see Quartararo jump ship if Yamaha’s V4 project fails to deliver.

Despite these challenges, Quartararo’s qualifying prowess remains undeniable. His four poles this season, including a record-breaking lap at Le Mans, have drawn comparisons to Marc Marquez’s ability to maximize a bike’s potential. However, unlike Marquez, who has returned to winning form with Ducati, Quartararo has struggled to translate one-lap speed into race results. At Silverstone, he led briefly before crashing, a gut-wrenching moment that teammate Marco Bezzecchi later discussed with him privately. Quartararo’s resilience was tested again at Mugello, where a dislocated shoulder from a practice crash didn’t stop him from qualifying fourth, yet race-day woes persisted.

The arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac Yamaha in 2026 adds another layer of intrigue. Razgatlioglu, a WorldSBK star, has an option to join the factory team in 2027, potentially as Quartararo’s teammate—or replacement. This development has intensified the spotlight on Quartararo’s attitude and leadership. Critics argue that his public frustration, such as calling Yamaha’s trajectory a “step backward,” risks alienating the team at a critical juncture. Supporters, however, see his honesty as a necessary push for progress, reflecting his hunger to return to the top.

As the summer break approaches, Quartararo faces a pivotal moment. Yamaha’s investment in him, reportedly the highest-paid rider deal, hinges on their ability to close the gap to rivals. The team’s plans for a V4 engine and new talent like Razgatlioglu signal ambition, but results are needed now. Quartararo remains optimistic about certain tracks, like Assen, where he believes he can “fight at the front,” yet he admits that winning requires “many things to happen.” With his contract running until 2026, the next season will be crucial in determining whether he can reclaim his status as MotoGP’s number one rider—or if Yamaha’s struggles will force him to look elsewhere.