Yamaha has officially announced that factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team at the conclusion of the 2026 MotoGP season. The decision marks the end of one of the manufacturer’s most significant rider partnerships and signals the beginning of a fresh chapter for the Japanese brand.
The confirmation comes as MotoGP’s rider market continues to evolve ahead of the 2027 season, with Yamaha expected to unveil an entirely new rider line-up.
Quartararo Leaves as a Yamaha Champion
Fabio Quartararo’s association with Yamaha began in 2019 and quickly developed into one of the most successful partnerships in recent MotoGP history. The Frenchman became the team’s leading rider and delivered its most memorable success by winning the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
During his time with Yamaha, Quartararo achieved:
MotoGP World Titles: 1 (2021)
Grand Prix Wins: 11
Podium Finishes: 32
Despite several difficult seasons caused by Yamaha’s struggle to match its rivals in performance, Quartararo remained committed to the project and continued to lead the team’s charge on the grid.
Rins Bids Farewell After Three Seasons
Alex Rins joined the factory Yamaha squad in 2024, bringing valuable race-winning experience to the team. Although he was unable to consistently challenge for podium finishes, the Spaniard played an important role in the development of the YZR-M1 and contributed significantly to Yamaha’s technical progress during a rebuilding phase.
The manufacturer acknowledged Rins’ dedication and professionalism, thanking him for his commitment over the last three seasons.
Yamaha Pays Tribute to Both Riders
Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio praised both riders for their contribution to the factory project.
He highlighted Quartararo’s remarkable achievements and described him as a rider who will always remain part of Yamaha’s racing legacy. Pavesio also credited Rins for bringing experience, technical knowledge and determination that helped strengthen the team’s development programme.
The manufacturer confirmed that both riders will remain fully focused on delivering the best possible results throughout the remainder of the 2026 campaign before officially ending their partnership.
A New Era Awaits
The announcement closes an important chapter for Yamaha. While Quartararo leaves as a world champion and one of the team’s modern-day icons, Rins departs after contributing to the development of the bike during challenging seasons.
With both riders moving on after 2026, attention now turns to Yamaha’s future plans and who will lead the factory team into the new MotoGP era beginning in 2027.
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