Yamaha Racing Boss Paolo Pavesio Addresses Fabio Quartararo’s 2027 Contract Rumors

Fabio Quartararo 

SEPANG – The MotoGP transfer market has been set ablaze following reports that Yamaha’s star rider, Fabio Quartararo, might be heading toward a sensational exit. Amidst swirling rumors linking the Frenchman to a potential 2027 move to Honda, Yamaha’s Managing Director, Paolo Pavesio, has finally broken his silence.

Addressing the 2027 Speculation

Speaking during the Sepang Shakedown, Pavesio—who took over the reins from Lin Jarvis in early 2025—chose to remain diplomatic yet firm regarding the future of his lead rider. While he admitted that conversations are a natural part of the paddock, he downplayed the finality of recent headlines.

"My hope is that Fabio remains with us," Pavesio stated. "In a high-stakes environment like MotoGP, everyone speaks with everyone. We are talking about a tight-knit elite of about 22 athletes and only five major manufacturers. It is only logical that dialogues take place across the board."

Prioritizing the 2026 Project

Pavesio emphasized that Yamaha is currently laser-focused on its 2026 campaign rather than getting distracted by 2027 contract drama. The team is undergoing a massive technical overhaul, including the highly anticipated development of the new V4 engine and a strengthened partnership with the Pramac Racing satellite team.

The goal, according to Pavesio, is to provide a package so competitive that Quartararo sees no reason to look elsewhere. "The reality is that we are in a phase of significant transformation. Our job is to make the M1 an attractive, winning machine again," he added.

Tension and Transformation

The rumors of a split come at a sensitive time. Recent reports suggested that the 2021 World Champion has already reached an agreement with HRC for the 2027 season, fueled by perceived frustrations over Yamaha’s development pace. Quartararo himself has previously noted a change in management style, admitting he communicates more with his engineers in the pit box than with the executive level.

Despite the "noise" in the media, Pavesio remains optimistic about Yamaha’s trajectory. By recruiting top-tier talent like Max Bartolini from Ducati and securing Toprak Razgatlioglu for the future, Yamaha is signaling that it has the resources to return to the top—with or without its current talisman.

As the grid prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes remain on the blue garage. Whether Pavesio can convince "El Diablo" to stay for the next era of MotoGP remains one of the sport's biggest unanswered questions.

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