Quartararo to take Rins' Moto2 seat in 2017

Quartararo, 17, won the Spanish CEV Moto3 titles in 2013 and 2014 before graduating to the grand prix racing scene. He ended the 2015 Moto3 season in 10th place despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury.

At the end of that year, he was announced on a two-year Moto3 deal with Leopard Racing, but his first campaign with the team has so far turned out massively underwhelming, the Frenchman sitting 15th in the standings after 13 rounds.

As such, Quartararo will not be continuing in Moto3 for another year as planned, but will instead step up to the Pons-run Paginas Amarillas HP 40 squad.

"I'm very happy that Fabio is joining the team," said team boss Sito Pons.

"He's a rider we've followed since he was young. Fabio has won everything in every category since he began competing in Spain when he was very young. We're sure he has a big future ahead of him.

"He's coming from a difficult season in Moto3, but I'm sure he can show his full potential in Moto2 from the start."

In Pons, Quartararo joins a top-line Moto2 outfit, which took Pol Espargaro to the title in 2013 and has fielded Maverick Vinales in his sole season in the intermediate class.

Its current team leader Rins, who already has a Suzuki MotoGP seat for 2017, is currently second in the standings, three points off category leader Johann Zarco.

Quartararo said: "I'm very proud to form part of Paginas Amarillas HP 40 next season. To have the opportunity to work with Sito and his team is a dream.

"I'm sure that this new category will suit my riding style perfectly. It's a very competitive category and I know how hard we have to work to reach the top. I want to thank Sito for his confidence in me and the opportunity to become part of such a prestigious team."