Fabio Quartararo Reveals Hidden Fears After Replacing Valentino Rossi at Yamaha in 2021

The MotoGP world was captivated by a surprising revelation from Fabio Quartararo, rider for Monster Energy Yamaha. In an exclusive interview with MotoGP News, Quartararo disclosed a long-held secret he feared to share since stepping into the shoes of legend Valentino Rossi at Yamaha in 2021. This admission comes ahead of his fourth anniversary with the team, raising questions about the pressures he faced and their impact on his career. What made him so hesitant to speak out?

Fabio Quartararo officially took over Valentino Rossi’s position at Yamaha in the 2021 season, marking the end of The Doctor’s 15-year dominance. At just 22 years old, Quartararo quickly proved his potential by clinching his first world title that year, ending Yamaha’s title drought since 2015. However, behind this success, Quartararo revealed the immense pressure to fill the void left by a legend with 89 wins and 235 podiums in MotoGP.

In his latest interview, Quartararo confessed, “I was afraid to say this before, but when I replaced Vale, I felt I had to prove myself every day. The pressure from fans and media was overwhelming, and I worried about failing to honor his legacy.”

He also admitted to initial doubts about accepting Yamaha’s offer, fearing constant comparisons with Rossi would undermine his confidence. This revelation highlights the human side beneath his championship success.

This pressure seemingly influenced his early tenure with Yamaha. In 2021, he secured seven race wins, but the following year (2022) saw only two victories, reflecting adaptation challenges. Quartararo credited crew chief Diego Gubellini’s support for easing his mental burden, allowing focus on developing the M1, which currently faces technical difficulties in 2025, with just one podium to date.

Rossi fans responded with mixed feelings to Quartararo’s admission. Some viewed it as a tribute to the legend, while others felt he should have been more confident from the start. Valentino Rossi, now competing with the VR46 Racing Team, offered a positive remark via social media: “Fabio has done an incredible job, and I’m glad to see him grow at Yamaha.” This support adds an emotional layer to their relationship.

With his contract with Yamaha running until the end of 2026, Quartararo faces pressure to revive Yamaha’s performance, which lags behind Ducati and KTM in 2025. This disclosure could serve as a turning point, motivating the team to offer stronger backing, especially with rumors of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s arrival at Pramac Yamaha threatening his position. Quartararo stated, “I want to prove I can exceed expectations, not just fill Vale’s spot.”

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