Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo has split with long-time manager Eric Mahe in anticipation of negotiations for his next MotoGP deal.
The French rider has announced he is “taking matters into his own hands” by setting up his own management company, FQ20, and has specified that Mahe will not be overseeing his talks with suitors for “the period [of] 2025-26”.
In announcing the split, Quartararo said his time working with Mahe – who became his manager in 2016, while he was still in Moto3 – had been “a great period”.
“Your work has always been first-rate during these years, which hasn’t prevented some good laughs,” Quartararo wrote of and to Mahe. “I wish you all the best for the future.”
Mahe was also quoted in the announcement, expressing his pride at “the fine negotiation with Petronas Yamaha” that launched Quartararo from a mixed Moto2 stint into MotoGP stardom.
While no specific reason has been cited for the split, it may suggest Quartararo is now taking a closer look at his future amid what has been a substantially below-par third year in factory Yamaha colours so far.
The 24-year-old, who won the 2021 championship and was only narrowly denied a repeat last year, is only ninth in the standings right now as Yamaha continues to struggle with its 2023-spec M1.
