In the eyes of Fabio Quartararo, Marc Marquez is the pinnacle of MotoGP history, surpassing even Valentino Rossi. After debuting in the top class in 2019, Quartararo spent some time racing against the iconic Rossi. Their careers intersected most notably in 2021, when they essentially traded roles—Quartararo ascended to the Yamaha factory team, and Rossi transitioned to the Petronas SRT satellite squad.
Fabio Quartararo believes Marc Marquez is the best rider in MotoGP history, surpassing his hero Valentino Rossi. Quartararo made his premier-class debut in 2019 and had the opportunity to race alongside seven-time champion Rossi in the latter stages of his career. In actuality, the Frenchman won his first title in 2021 after being moved to the factory Yamaha team in place of Rossi, who joined the satellite Petronas SRT squad in a direct exchange between the two riders.
While Rossi stepped away from MotoGP at the conclusion of that year, he hasn't fully left the paddock, as he continues to manage his VR46 satellite team utilizing Ducati bikes. Since hanging up his helmet in bike racing, Rossi has shifted his competitive focus toward car racing.
During a recent conversation, Quartararo spoke warmly about his lifelong admiration for Rossi, reflecting on their interactions long before he became a GP star. He described their connection as a journey in stages: starting with a simple photo together at age seven, followed by an invitation to Rossi's ranch at fifteen, and finally, the professional 'swap' of their seats in 2021.
Quartararo admitted that replacing 'the king' created an immense amount of pressure during that period. Despite having several inspirations throughout his life, Rossi had been his primary idol since the age of five. Nevertheless, when ranking the absolute greats of the sport, Quartararo puts the six-time champion Marc Marquez at the top, citing the Spaniard's incredible adaptability and unique approach to riding.
While his affection for Valentino remains, Quartararo believes Marc is the superior rider, regardless of the total title count. He recalls being stunned by Marquez's 2014 debut, where he dominated the first ten races of the season. To Quartararo, Marquez's true brilliance lies in his consistency; whether it's pouring rain, scorching heat, or heavy winds, the 25-year-old notes that the Spaniard is always blisteringy fast.
To me, Marc is the gold standard for what a rider should be. He rides with a level of aggression that makes it seem like he's operating on a completely different speed than everyone else. Looking ahead, Marquez is set to move to the Ducati factory team next season to partner with Francesco Bagnaia, while Quartararo has committed to Yamaha through 2026 via a fresh two-year contract signed this summer.