19 of 22 rider contracts expire at the end of 2026: The focus is on Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta – former rider Jorge Lorenzo ventures a look into the future
Former MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo spoke to MotoGP.com at length about the tense contract situation of Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta. Two talents whose future seems completely open with a view to 2027.
While both riders repeatedly express frustration with their current situation at Yamaha and KTM, Lorenzo sees the coming months as crucial: Will they stay with their manufacturers or will the doors open for spectacular changes?
Quartararo: Top salary versus chance of victories
“He gave Yamaha a chance,” Lorenzo says, looking back on Quartararo’s last contract extension in April 2024. Even then, the manufacturer was no longer as competitive as it had been during Quartararo’s heyday. Nevertheless, the Frenchman stayed because Yamaha promised improvement and, moreover, a lot of money was flowing.
But that is precisely the dilemma of a factory rider, Lorenzo knows: “If you don’t have the money, you want the money. But if you have the money but not the results, then you miss the results. You can rarely have everything.”
In terms of the balance of power, the Spaniard currently sees Ducati as the dominant machine. Therefore, the Italian brand is not forced to pay the highest rider salaries. Manufacturers that are lagging behind, on the other hand, have to dig much deeper into their pockets to keep top riders.
“So it’s always a question of balance. The rider has to decide how strong his will to win is,” says Lorenzo. For Quartararo, this means he has to weigh up what is more important to him: winning or staying – with the risk of continuing to lag behind.
Lorenzo on Yamaha’s radical U-turn
Yamaha’s decision to abandon the inline four-cylinder after decades and switch to a V4 concept for the first time is intended to prevent precisely that. For Lorenzo, who enjoyed great success with the old concept, it is a huge step.
“It’s strange because they have so much experience with the inline engine. They specialize in it. That’s probably why they never had the most powerful engine, because it was difficult to get the maximum performance out of the inline four-cylinder,” analyzes the former Yamaha rider.
The new V4 finally gives the manufacturer the opportunity to keep up with Ducati and Co. in terms of top speed, but Lorenzo warns: “They are at a clear disadvantage when it comes to experience with this type of engine. It won’t be an easy job.”
For Quartararo, this means he has to trust that Yamaha can pull off a complete technical reboot in record time. Otherwise, if he remains loyal to the Japanese manufacturer, the 2021 world champion could face more difficult years ahead.
Pedro Acosta: Can KTM keep him on board?
According to Lorenzo, MotoGP shooting star Acosta is also facing a decisive phase. KTM may have made him big, but the competition is watching the Spaniard closely.
When asked whether Acosta will remain in the KTM factory team, Lorenzo says: “It depends on the results. If Pedro suddenly wins four races in a row, his opinion will change. Then he’ll definitely want to stay with KTM.”
So if KTM doesn’t quickly catch up with the absolute top, the 2027 rider market could see one of the biggest transfers in recent years.
