MAT OXLEY SLAMS QUARTARARO FOR YAMAHA COMPLAINTS AND SAYS HE CHOSE MONEY OVER PERFORMANCE

MotoGP expert Mat Oxley has criticised Fabio Quartararo’s ongoing complaints about Yamaha, arguing the Frenchman’s frustrations are rooted in a choice he made rather than circumstances beyond his control. Oxley said he “loves riders saying what they really think” instead of relying on public-relations lines, but added that Quartararo has “cried too much recently,” describing his attitude as “petulant.”

The criticism comes as Quartararo continues to be linked with a move to Honda, yet his dissatisfaction with Yamaha has not eased. At the previous round at MotorLand Aragon, Quartararo claimed Yamaha had made his bike “worse,” and this weekend at the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano he has again appeared frustrated in the paddock.

Oxley’s central point was that Quartararo could have been on a different path two years earlier. He reminded the 2021 premier-class champion that he had the option to sign for Aprilia, and that doing so would have meant taking “half the money.” Oxley suggested that, with the right machinery, Quartararo “might’ve won another MotoGP title,” but instead “chose money” over performance.

Oxley also referenced the scale of Quartararo’s decision, saying the reported figure was “around £10 million a year,” and concluded that Quartararo “should remember that.” The expert further claimed Quartararo’s lack of interest in developing Yamaha’s prototype has given the team grounds to terminate his contract.

The situation is not portrayed as universally positive even within Honda. The report notes that “even Honda aren’t too happy” with Quartararo, with his attitude already creating friction between him and his future employers.

The wider context includes other rider decisions. Quartararo’s replacement at Yamaha, Jorge Martin, has also faced criticism for signing with the team for similar financial reasons. By contrast, Ai Ogura is mentioned as having signed with his team with a different motivation—being closer to home.

As for Quartararo’s immediate weekend, the San Marino Grand Prix is described as another difficult one. After the first day of action at Misano, he was reported to be one second off the pace of the frontrunners.