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Quartararo Defends Outgoing Yamaha Riders Amid V4 Struggles
Fabio Quartararo has jumped to the defense of Jack Miller and Alex Rins as a difficult 2026 campaign leaves Yamaha trailing.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-08-22 09:02:10.000 - 2 min read
Fabio Quartararo has stepped forward to defend the capabilities of Jack Miller and Alex Rins following confirmation that both riders will lose their places on the premier class grid for 2027. Yamaha's difficult transition to a V4 machine for the 2026 season has left the manufacturer languishing near the bottom of the constructors' championship with just 73 points after twelve rounds, compounding a miserable year for everyone tied to the project.
While Quartararo holds 55 points and sits 14th in the rider standings, teammates Miller, Rins and Toprak Razgatlioglu occupy positions 19 through 21. Both Miller and Rins are now bound for World Superbikes next season after finding themselves without viable premier class options. Speaking exclusively to the media, Quartararo insisted that their current slump reflects the shortcomings of the motorcycle rather than any decline in rider talent.
Emphasizing his own deep familiarity with the manufacturer's machinery, the Frenchman pointed out that both departing riders are proven race winners with extensive top-tier experience. He noted that adapting to the completely revamped V4 concept requires an entirely new approach compared to previous iterations, leaving them with no strong points relative to last season.
Yamaha originally planned for the opening half of the year to serve as a steep learning curve before targeting a step forward in the second half. However, Quartararo revealed that those hopes have been shelved, with factory resources now redirected entirely toward developing the upcoming 850cc project. Consequently, the team expects no further technical updates for the remainder of the season, leaving the current lineup to extract whatever maximum potential remains in their existing base.