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Yamaha are at risk of losing Fabio Quartararo when his contract expires in 2026 as he loses patience with their MotoGP project.

The Frenchman has continued to show how he is one of the best talents on the grid in 2025, having grabbed five pole positions on the Yamaha M1. But the bike’s poor power has meant Quartararo has converted one of those poles into a podium.

He qualified on the front row of the grid at the Portuguese Grand Prix, but again, he struggled for raw pace as he dropped back to sixth. His defensive riding was admirable, but it is far from where he wants to be, and Yamaha know it.

2026 is Yamaha’s last chance to convince Quartararo that they can build a competitive machine. They will introduce their V4 project next season, with the Frenchman pushing for further development and wildcard entries for the bike.

The 26-year-old is desperate for the bike to give him the tools to win, but he is not currently convinced. Quartararo was fuming after Augusto Fernandez crashed at Sepang on the V4, which is only putting more pressure on the Iwata outfit to improve the bike.

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Neil Hodgson says Yamaha need to ‘lose’ Fabio Quartararo to improve their bike, just like Honda did with Marc Marquez

These next few months will be critical for the Japanese manufacturer. Yamaha have until pre-season testing at Sepang to convince Quartararo to stay put, but Neil Hodgson thinks they may have to ‘lose’ their star rider.

Speaking during the Portuguese GP on TNT Sports 2, he likened the situation to how Honda lost Marc Marquez back in 2023. Since the Ant of Cervera’s departure, the Japanese giants have been steadily improving the RC213V – Hodgson thinks Yamaha need to make the same sacrifice.

He said: “I think it is worth them absolutely scrapping the inline four and not even thinking about it after next weekend and saying: ‘We have to put all our eggs in this basket, we can develop a bike’.

“Aprilia have got a V4 that’s able to get corner speed. They can work out the puzzle, but it is going to have to be a step back to go two forward.

“The problem is, whilst all that’s happening, are they going to lose the golden egg? Their star rider, and [you’re] probably going to say yeah, they will.

“But it’s going to be like Honda have done. They lost Marc Marquez, that was a step back to go forward and produce a better motorcycle. That’s what Yamaha are going to have to do, they’re just going to have to take it on the chin.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats

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Are Yamaha starting to change their tune on Fabio Quartararo’s future?

Yamaha have already made a ‘colossal’ offer to Quartararo to try and keep him on board until 2028. Of course, they are keen to retain the Frenchman’s services, but key figures may be starting to change their tune on the rider.

Paolo Pavesio and Lin Jarvis disagree over Quartararo’s importance at Yamaha. For the former, he views the project’s ‘medium and long-term’ success as more important than the 2021 MotoGP champion.

Meanwhile, Jarvis’ heavy influence on the decision for Yamaha to sign Quartararo to replace Valentino Rossi highlights how important he views the Frenchman. But Pavesio is more ‘pragmatic’ and values the team more – they may actually be acting on Hodgson’s suggestion.

It is also believed that the rider has already decided on his future. There is a ‘sense’ that Quartararo intends to leave Yamaha at the end of 2026, with Ducati, Honda and Aprilia all being linked to the 26-year-old.