Yamaha Motor Racing has secured a major win by solidifying French rider Fabio Quartararo’s presence on their factory team.
Quartararo inked a contract extension that will see him race for Yamaha until the end of the 2026 MotoGP season. This deal comes with a hefty price tag, reportedly making Quartararo the highest-paid rider on the current grid.
“We are delighted that Fabio will continue to be a Yamaha racer. Retaining Fabio as part of the factory team is integral to the Yamaha MotoGP project.” Yamaha boss, Lin Jarvis said.
“Fabio has exceptional talent, a hard worker, a great team player, and has many competitive years ahead of him,” Jarvis added.
The new contract puts Quartararo in a league of his own financially. With a base salary exceeding 12 million euros per year, he surpasses his closest competitor, Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati, by more than double.
This significant investment highlights Yamaha’s unwavering commitment to retaining Quartararo’s exceptional talent and championship potential.
Previously, the record for the highest MotoGP earner belonged to Marc Marquez, who reportedly received a staggering 20 million euros annually during his final season at Honda.
While Quartararo may not quite match that figure, his new contract undeniably positions him as the top earner on the current grid.
While the financial terms grab headlines, it’s Quartararo’s racing prowess that truly excites Yamaha.
Despite a slightly sluggish start to the 2024 season, where he finished just outside the top ten in the opening rounds, Yamaha clearly recognises Quartararo’s ability to deliver championship wins.
This extended contract signifies their belief that Quartararo will be instrumental in propelling them to future MotoGP glory.
“I am super happy to announce that I am going to continue my adventure in BLUE!” Quartararo said.
“Last winter Yamaha proved to me that they have a new approach and a new aggressive mindset. My confidence is high: we will be back at the front together!” Quartararo added.
