Fabio Quartararo has declared Marc Marquez as the greatest rider in MotoGP history, surpassing his childhood hero Valentino Rossi.
Quartararo debuted in the premier class in 2019, sharing the track with Rossi during the final stages of the Italian’s illustrious career. Quartararo secured his first title in 2021 after stepping up to the factory Yamaha team, taking over from Rossi, who moved to the Petronas SRT squad in a direct swap.
While Rossi retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021, he remains active in the sport through his VR46 team, which runs Ducati machinery on a satellite basis.
In an interview with the jewelry brand TwoJeys, Quartararo expressed deep admiration for Rossi, recalling their interactions over the years. “My idol was always Valentino,” Quartararo said. “I have had a relationship with him at different stages. When I was seven, I had a photo with him. Later, at 15, he invited me to his ranch. In 2021, we swapped places in MotoGP.
“The pressure was immense, having to take the place of the king. Even though I have other inspirations, Valentino has been my idol since I was five years old.”
Despite his admiration for Rossi, Quartararo ranks Marquez higher in the list of MotoGP legends. He praised Marquez’s versatility and riding style, noting, “I always liked Valentino, but Marc is the best ever, even if he has won fewer titles. When he won the first ten races of the year in 2014, I thought, ‘Who is this guy?’
“No matter the conditions—wet, dry, windy—he is always incredibly fast. For me, he embodies what it means to be a top rider. He rides aggressively and looks like he’s a second and a half faster than everyone else.”
Marquez will join the factory Ducati team next year, partnering with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia. While Quartararo will continue with Yamaha until 2026, following a new two-year contract signed this summer.
Rossi has transitioned to car racing since his retirement from MotoGP. He currently competes in the World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge Europe with a BMW M4 GT3. His VR46 team will also receive a factory-spec Ducati GP25 bike for Fabio di Giannantonio to ride in MotoGP next year.
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