Yamaha's MotoGP struggles are a cause for serious concern, and the calm exterior of its managing director, Paolo Pavesio, belies a deeper anxiety within the team. Despite a lackluster season opener in Thailand, there are several indicators that the situation is more dire than it seems.
To start, Yamaha's decision to silence its riders post-race was telling. Notably, three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, a personal project of Pavesio, was denied the chance to explain his 17th-place finish in his first MotoGP grand prix. While Razgatlioglu's performance was disappointing, he is not the primary concern. He shoulders much of the responsibility for the team's lack of competitiveness, attributing it to a more challenging adaptation process than anticipated.
In contrast, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins have been more outspoken about the M1's weaknesses. Despite their differing situations, with Quartararo bound for Honda and Rins' future uncertain, they have been direct in their criticism. Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, has expressed the need to manage his image better, reflecting on his middle-finger gesture during testing as a sign of frustration.
"I need to learn to relax and take things more calmly," Quartararo said. "It's important to avoid making those kinds of mistakes again."
Yamaha's decision to prevent Quartararo from speaking to the media on Sunday was a breach of contract with MotoGP Sports Entertainment, but it was accepted given the delicate situation. Sources within the team revealed that Quartararo finished the race extremely angry, and it was better for the team that he didn't speak, as it could have escalated.
There are reports of images suggesting Quartararo's bike stopped before reaching the garage, likely due to an engine issue. With Yamaha being the only manufacturer in Concession Rank D, which allows unrestricted engine development, each rider has just 10 engines for the 22-round calendar. Any additional engine would require starting from the pit lane, and team members are already predicting when this might happen.
Pavesio's message of calm and realism was an attempt to project a sense of control. The appearance of Yamaha Motor's global president, Motofumi Shitara, in Buriram was unexpected and seemed to contradict an alarmist narrative. Pavesio explained that Shitara's presence was to demonstrate commitment and support, not to investigate.
"The president came to show his support and reassure us," Pavesio said.
Since taking over from Lin Jarvis, events within Yamaha have moved swiftly. In 2025, the MotoGP division split to develop two bikes in parallel: the traditional inline four-cylinder engine and a new V4 powerplant. Initial feedback on the V4 from Quartararo and Rins was not positive, and the new version has not improved their impression. Pavesio sees this as the only path to regaining competitiveness.
However, Pavesio's relationship with the riders seems strained compared to the Jarvis era. Quartararo has stated that he doesn't speak much with Pavesio, preferring to communicate with the engineers. This lack of connection, combined with the bike's performance and Honda's interest, has led to Quartararo's departure.
Pavesio's relationship with Rins is reportedly similar, despite Rins' more complicated situation without a contract for 2027. Yamaha is in talks with potential riders, including Jorge Martín, as they aim to climb the "mountain" Pavesio often refers to. Technical director Max Bartolini met with Luca Marini and his agent in Buriram, outlining the project he hopes will bring Yamaha back to the top.
The situation at Yamaha is complex, and the team's future is uncertain. What do you think? Should Yamaha be more concerned about its MotoGP plight? Share your thoughts in the comments!
