Earlier this month, Quartararo inked a fresh multi-year deal with Yamaha, keeping him with the Iwata-based manufacturer until at least the end of the 2026 season.
The new contract was agreed despite an underwhelming start to the new campaign for Yamaha, leaving the 24-year-old to fight for lower reaches of the points in the opening three rounds of the season.
It also followed six-time champion Marquez’s call to leave Honda with a year left on his contract and join forces with the independent Gresini Ducati team in 2024, a decision that has already allowed him to fight for podiums and race wins.
But while Quartararo didn’t follow in the footsteps of Marquez and elected to keep his faith in Yamaha, he believes the Spaniard’s decision to split with Honda actually worked out in his favour.
He feels Marquez’s move to Gresini sprung Yamaha into action, as it showed that top riders in MotoGP are willing to trade loyalty for more competitive machinery.
"It's a moment that a lot of people have been waiting for,” the 2021 champion told French broadcaster Canal+. “My choice was to stay with Yamaha, not by default, but for the project.
"I think that Marquez's departure from Honda to Ducati woke up a lot of people at Yamaha.
Source: Autosport