Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Autosport Plus
Analysis

Why future options for MotoGP's recent champions are scarce

As Fabio Quartararo's and Joan Mir's contracts with Yamaha and Suzuki respectively expire, the market situation and the drop in salaries in MotoGP severely limit the strength of the last two world champions when it comes to negotiating their futures. That means renewing their current deals is likely the best option for both

In pre-pandemic circumstances, both Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo would be rubbing their hands together right now. Their agents would be able to use the 2020 and 2021 MotoGP world titles as leverage for their next contracts and, depending on the options available, sign for the most attractive proposal.

The problem for both is that the current market situation does not favour an aggressive strategy at the moment. The lack of potential options for them to move to, the very specific policies employed by other manufacturers such as Ducati and Honda and the status that Quartararo and Mir have earned play in the favour of Yamaha and Suzuki, as their respective managers are aware of. As a result, neither the Iwata (Yamaha) nor Hamamatsu (Suzuki) brands seem overly concerned that their spearheads could jump ship.

Previous article Tank Slappers Podcast: Can a fully fit Marquez dominate again?
Next article F1 and MotoGP champions Verstappen, Marquez nominated for Laureus awards

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe