Quartararo and Rins to exit Yamaha after 2026 MotoGP season
Synopsis
Yamaha's MotoGP era with Fabio Quartararo — the 2021 world champion and one of the sport's most beloved riders — is officially over. With the team stranded near the bottom of the 2026 constructors' standings on just 64 points, these departures signal more than a rider change: they mark a full reset for one of MotoGP's most storied manufacturers.
Key Takeaways
Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season , confirmed on 30 June .
Quartararo joined Yamaha in 2019 and won the 2021 MotoGP world championship , tallying 11 wins and 32 podiums across eight years.
Rins joined Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP in 2024 after a curtailed spell at Honda .
The pair has managed just one podium between them in 2026; Yamaha sits near the foot of the constructors' standings with 64 points .
Both riders are 15th and 17th respectively in the riders' championship and will continue racing for Yamaha until the season concludes.
Yamaha has not yet announced replacement riders for 2027 .
Former MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will depart Yamaha at the close of the 2026 MotoGP season, the Iwata-based Japanese manufacturer confirmed on Tuesday, 30 June. The announcement draws the curtain on a combined tenure that spans nearly a decade and includes one world title, but ends against a backdrop of mounting on-track struggles.
End of an Era for Quartararo
Quartararo joined Yamaha in 2019 and went on to become one of the most celebrated figures in the sport, claiming the 2021 MotoGP world championship — the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. Over his eight years with the team, the Frenchman accumulated 11 wins and 32 podiums, earning widespread admiration for his candid personality and infectious commitment both on and off the bike. His most recent podium as a Yamaha rider came at the Spanish Grand Prix last year, and the 26-year-old has endured a winless run since. In the current 2026 campaign, he sits 15th in the riders' standings.
Rins's Brief but Significant Stint
Alex Rins was recruited by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP ahead of the 2024 season, arriving from Honda where his debut campaign had been cut short by injury. The Spaniard's race-winning pedigree was seen as a potential catalyst for fresh ideas within the YZR-M1 project. However, his time at Yamaha has yielded limited returns, and he currently sits 17th in the riders' championship in 2026.
Yamaha's Difficult 2026 Campaign
Yamaha has found consistent competitiveness elusive in recent seasons. As a pairing in 2026, Quartararo and Rins have managed just one podium between them — belonging to Quartararo at the Spanish Grand Prix in the prior year. The manufacturer is currently rooted near the foot of the constructors' championship with just 64 points, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing the team's engineering and development divisions.
What the Management Said
Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director, acknowledged the contributions of both riders in an official statement. 'Fabio and Álex have both played an important role in Yamaha's MotoGP project, and we are very grateful for their efforts, dedication, and collaboration over the years,' Pavesio said. He described Quartararo as 'one of the true legends of Yamaha MotoGP,' adding that the journey together — through successes and setbacks — defined their relationship. Of Rins, Pavesio noted that the Spaniard had brought 'valuable experience, meaningful insight, and unwavering commitment' to the YZR-M1 development effort since joining in 2024.
What Happens Next
Despite confirming both exits, Yamaha stated that Quartararo and Rins would continue to give their maximum effort through to the end of the 2026 season. The manufacturer has not yet announced replacement riders, and the identity of the 2027 Yamaha lineup will be closely watched across the paddock as the team seeks to rebuild its competitive standing.
Point of View
Not just a personnel shuffle. Quartararo carried Yamaha on his shoulders through years when the machine was clearly second-best — his 2021 title was as much a testament to his talent as it was a flattering disguise for the bike's limitations. The harder question Yamaha must now answer is whether new riders can solve what is fundamentally an engineering problem. With just 64 points in the constructors' standings and no wins in sight, the 2027 lineup announcement will reveal whether the manufacturer is genuinely rebuilding or simply rotating talent around an unresolved deficit.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins leaving Yamaha?
Yamaha confirmed on 30 June that both Quartararo and Rins will depart at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season. No specific reason was given beyond the official statement; the announcement comes amid a difficult 2026 campaign in which Yamaha sits near the bottom of the constructors' standings with just 64 points.
When did Fabio Quartararo join Yamaha and what did he achieve?
Quartararo joined Yamaha in 2019 and won the 2021 MotoGP world championship. Over eight years with the team, he recorded 11 wins and 32 podiums, making him one of the most decorated riders in the manufacturer's recent history.
When did Alex Rins join Yamaha?
Alex Rins joined Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP ahead of the 2024 season, having previously ridden for Honda where his debut campaign was cut short by injury. He brought race-winning experience to the YZR-M1 development project.
Where does Yamaha stand in the 2026 MotoGP constructors' championship?
Yamaha is near the foot of the 2026 constructors' championship with just 64 points. Quartararo is 15th and Rins is 17th in the riders' standings, reflecting the team's broader struggle for competitiveness.
Who will replace Quartararo and Rins at Yamaha in 2027?
Yamaha has not yet announced replacement riders for the 2027 season. The identity of the new lineup is expected to be one of the most closely watched decisions in the MotoGP paddock as the manufacturer looks to rebuild.
