After the big news of Maverick Vinales extending his contract with the Yamaha factory MotoGP squad until the end of 2022, Fabio Quartararo announced that he will be joining Vinales on board the full factory Yamaha YZR-M1 in 2021 and 2022.
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Fabio Quartararo, the 20-year-old Frenchman made his mark in the premier class last season when he took everyone by surprise onboard the satellite Yamaha M1 prepared by the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team together with Franco Morbidelli. After securing seven podiums in his first-ever season, Yamaha knew that they can’t let go of this talented rider to other manufacturers.
Their solution? A factory seat with Yamaha and it didn’t take long for Quartararo to agree. The 2019 MotoGP Rookie of the Year will also be getting some much-needed full factory support in the upcoming 2020 season, his second year with Petronas Yamaha SRT.
According to the French rider, “I’m delighted about what my management has achieved in the last few months together with YMC. It was not simple to establish, but now I have a clear plan for the next three years and I’m really happy. I will work hard, like I did last year, and I’m extremely motivated to achieve great performances.”
“I feel like the winter period is too long – I’m really excited to go to the Sepang test next week to ride my new YZR-M1 and meet and work with my crew again. I want to thank YMC and PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, who have given me the opportunity to enter the MotoGP class in 2019. I will give my all to do them proud again this year.”
As for Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director, “We are very pleased that Fabio will be joining the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team line-up for 2021 and 2022. His results in his MotoGP debut year were sensational. His 6 pole positions and the 7 podiums in the 2019 season were a clear sign of his brilliance and exceptional riding skills. Inviting him to move up to the Yamaha Factory Racing Team after he completes his contract with PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team was a logical next step.”
“For the upcoming season he will be provided with a factory-spec YZR-M1 and he will receive full support from Yamaha. Fabio is only 20 years old, but he is already showing great maturity on and off the bike, and we are excited to have him join us in 2021. Fabio and Maverick will provide a big stimulus to all of us in the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team to continue to develop the YZR-M1 and leave no stone unturned in our quest for MotoGP World Championship victories,” added Jarvis.
So, that’s that. The next obvious question that comes to mind is, where will Rossi go?
Image credit: MotoGP
