Could Fabio Quartararo replicate Marc Marquez's success in 2027?
Fabio Quartararo is poised to be a key figure in the 2027 MotoGP rider market, despite currently not being in contention for a title with Yamaha. In his debut season in 2019, Quartararo made waves by securing seven podium finishes and giving Marc Marquez a run for his money in several races.
Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, was selected to take over Valentino Rossi's position at the factory Yamaha team starting from the 2021 season. He embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly, going on to claim the world championship that year. However, his title defense in 2022 was a nail-biter against Francesco Bagnaia, and since then, Yamaha hasn't been able to secure a victory for Quartararo.
Despite his dissatisfaction with Yamaha's performance, Quartararo inked a substantial two-year contract with the Japanese manufacturer last season. Yamaha is attempting to persuade him to stay by showcasing their new V4 engine project. Yet, his recent test ride on the V4 at Misano didn't elicit optimistic feedback from the French rider, who noted that the same issues affecting the inline-four engine persisted on the V4.
Is a move to a satellite team a viable option for Fabio Quartararo?
In 2023, Marc Marquez made a surprising decision to leave his lucrative factory Honda contract to join the Gresini satellite team on a used Ducati, without any salary, aiming to regain his confidence and compete for top results once more. Marquez secured three grand prix victories in 2024 before transitioning to Ducati's factory squad, where he has dominated in 2025 to clinch his seventh world title.
This year, there were whispers that Pedro Acosta might follow a similar path for 2026, switching to VR46 Ducati due to his growing frustration with KTM's underwhelming start to the season. Marquez's experience with Gresini has certainly altered the perceptions of top-tier factory riders regarding satellite team moves.
When asked about the possibility of making a similar switch, Quartararo emphasized the importance of careful consideration. "You always have to weigh things up," he stated to DAZN. "Of course, I'll have to make a decision. We still need to evaluate the situation because I believe it's too early right now."
He added, "But I do think that given our potential, we deserve a spot in a factory team. However, you always have to consider the dynamics and see how Yamaha progresses with the new bike."
What do you think? Should Quartararo consider a move to a satellite team, or does he have what it takes to secure a factory deal elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments!
