Shizuoka, June 30 (IANS) Former MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, the Japanese manufacturer announced on Tuesday.
Quartararo was with Yamaha from 2019, winning the pinnacle of motorcycle racing in 2021 as he enjoyed his most fruitful years with the Iwata-based manufacturer, including 11 wins and 32 podiums. The Frenchman was one of the sport’s most loved figures in his eight years at the team, widely adored for his infectious enthusiasm, candid personality and commitment on and off the bike. Rins was recruited by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP for the 2024 season, returning from a spell with Honda where he was sidelined with a crash during his debut campaign with the manufacturer.
The Spaniard’s experience and race-winning pedigree offered a potential injection of new ideas into the YZR-M1 machine as it battled with its competitors.
However, Yamaha has struggled in recent years to compete on the regular, with Quartararo and Rins only having one podium between them as a pairing this season. That result belonged to Quartararo at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix, although the 26-year-old has since suffered a winless run. The 2026 season has been a struggle, with Yamaha rooted near the foot of the constructors’ championship on just 64 points and Quartararo and Rins 15th and 17th respectively in the riders’ standings. Despite announcing their departures, Yamaha confirmed both riders would give their maximum effort to achieve the best possible results up to the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director, paid tribute to both Quartararo and Rins for their efforts.
“Fabio and Álex have both played an important role in Yamaha’s MotoGP project, and we are very grateful for their efforts, dedication, and collaboration over the years.
“Fabio’s journey with Yamaha spans eight years, during which we have shared both great successes and difficult moments. Together, we have grown, celebrated achievements that have shaped our story, and faced challenges that have strengthened us. Beyond the results, it is this journey that defines our relationship, and in the end, Fabio will always remain one of the true legends of Yamaha MotoGP.
“Since joining Yamaha in 2024, Álex has brought valuable experience, meaningful insight, and unwavering commitment, playing an important role in the YZR-M1 project’s development.
“While saying goodbye is never easy after years together, we remain fully focused on working as a team to achieve the best possible results until the end of the season.”
–IANS
hs/