Breaking News: Fabio Quartararo Forced to Withdraw from Sepang Test Following Opening Day Crash

Fabio Quartararo 

SEPANG, MALAYSIA – The Yamaha Factory Racing camp has been dealt a devastating blow as their lead rider, Fabio Quartararo, has officially withdrawn from the remainder of the 2026 Sepang Official Test. The decision comes after a high-speed accident during the final hour of the opening day, which has left the Frenchman unfit to continue.

The Incident at Turn 11

The accident occurred as Quartararo was completing a long-run simulation on the new Yamaha M1 V4 prototype. Witnesses reported that the rear of the machine stepped out violently at the entry of the fast Turn 11, resulting in a "high-side" that launched the 2021 World Champion into the gravel trap.

While Quartararo was able to walk away from the site with assistance, subsequent medical evaluations at the circuit's medical center and a local hospital confirmed that he had sustained significant bruising and a suspected strain to his left shoulder. In a move to prioritize his long-term fitness for the season opener, the team and medical staff decided on an immediate withdrawal.

A Massive Setback for the V4 Project

This injury is a critical hurdle for Yamaha’s development program. With the M1 undergoing its most radical transformation in decades—switching from an Inline-4 to a V4 engine—every kilometer of data is precious. Quartararo was the primary architect of this new project, and his absence means the heavy lifting of development will now fall entirely on the shoulders of Alex Rins and the test riding duo of Jack Miller and Cal Crutchlow.

Team Principal Massimo Meregalli expressed his disappointment but remained focused on Fabio's recovery. "The safety of our rider is always the priority. It is a shame because the early data was very promising, but we must now rely on Alex and our test team to complete the remaining two days of the program," Meregalli stated.

What This Means for the 2026 Season

With only a handful of testing days left before the first Grand Prix, Quartararo’s loss of track time could have a "domino effect" on Yamaha’s readiness. The team will now have to fast-track their electronic mapping and aerodynamic evaluations without their talismanic leader’s feedback.

Fans and rivals alike will be watching closely to see if Quartararo can recover in time for the final pre-season tests in Portimao. For now, the "V4 Revolution" must continue without its biggest star.

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