Fabio Quartararo has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his 2025 MotoGP season, rating it a mere five out of ten despite showcasing flashes of brilliance aboard a Yamaha that has struggled to keep pace with its competitors. In a year where Yamaha languished at the bottom of the constructors’ championship, trailing even Honda, Quartararo managed to secure five pole positions and three podium finishes across various races, including both sprints and grand prix events.
The 26-year-old Frenchman stood out as the sole Yamaha rider consistently contending at the front, amassing more points than his teammates Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira combined, with a total of 201 points compared to their 190. Quartararo came tantalizingly close to breaking his victory drought, which dates back to the German Grand Prix in 2022, only to be thwarted by a technical issue while leading the British Grand Prix.
Despite these impressive performances, Quartararo expressed deep disappointment with his overall season, revealing his frustration over the limitations of the Yamaha machine. When asked to evaluate his campaign after the Valencia weekend, he succinctly stated, “From one to ten? Five.” He elaborated, “It was a difficult season, of course. I showed that I was fast, and that’s the most important thing.”
Quartararo’s growing distance from Yamaha is evident as he reflects on a season filled with challenges. “We know how difficult it is to achieve results with our bike. But there was nothing really significant to remember from this season,” he lamented, acknowledging the mental toll the season has taken on him.
He emphasized the need for a break, citing the emotional and psychological weariness that has accompanied his racing. “You know you’re not fighting for what you want,” he explained. “I always give 100%, but sometimes I find myself in fourth place, sometimes sixth, tenth, or even on the ground.” As the season drew to a close, he admitted he was running on fumes, expressing a desire to disconnect and reflect during the winter break. “I needed to finish the season, to take a little break, think about many things, and I believe [the winter vacation] will be a fantastic time.”
As he looks to the future, Quartararo’s contract with Yamaha runs through the end of the 2026 season, but his renewal hinges on whether the Japanese manufacturer can deliver a competitive V4 motorcycle. He is clear about his priorities: “I don’t have time. I just want to try to make it work. If not, it will be time for a change,” a sentiment that suggests he has been contemplating his options for quite some time.
Fabio Quartararo concludes the season with a keen desire for rest and rejuvenation, but the question remains—will Yamaha rise to the occasion and provide the bike he desperately needs to reclaim his place at the top of the MotoGP world?
