Yamaha has yet to secure a MotoGP victory since Fabio Quartararo’s win at the 2022 German Grand Prix, but the team has made some strides despite only achieving one podium finish in the 2025 season. A key improvement has been addressing the issue of rising tire temperatures, which has led to a noticeable boost in qualifying performance. This advancement was evident as Quartararo secured five pole positions in 2025, second only to the 2025 champion Marc Marquez.
Michelin’s two-wheel motorsport manager, Piero Taramasso, explained that previously, the team struggled to quickly generate energy to heat the tires. However, Yamaha has made progress in this area, aided by Quartararo’s aggressive braking style that helps transfer weight onto the tires to reach optimal grip levels.
Yamaha MotoGP Technical Director Max Bartolini noted that Quartararo’s deep familiarity with the YZR-M1 enables him to optimize the bike’s strengths while compensating for its main drawback — a lack of straight-line speed. Quartararo’s skill in understanding the bike’s limits, along with impressive laps by teammate Jack Miller, indicates progress. Still, Bartolini emphasized the need for the team to consistently secure top qualifying positions.
While Yamaha shows improved single-lap speed, as demonstrated by pole positions, their race-day performance remains a challenge. Bartolini highlighted a significant issue: when tire grip drops, Yamaha suffers more than competitors, losing a substantial amount of traction, which compromises bike control and performance. Quartararo has been adapting his riding style, trying to manage the throttle gently and maintain smoothness to preserve tire life.
Taramasso added that Yamaha thrives better on used tires than new ones because of the bike’s handling characteristics. New tires provide high grip but cause sudden, aggressive bike movements when grip is lost, which Yamaha struggles to manage due to its lower straight-line speed. In contrast, the newer tire compound offers a more progressive and predictable grip loss, allowing Yamaha to better maintain cornering speed, which is the bike’s strong point.
Fan Take: This development signals that Yamaha is making meaningful gains in qualifying, yet still faces a crucial challenge in translating that speed into race-day success. For racing fans, it means the 2025 season could be a turning point where Yamaha’s determination and technical evolution might shake up the competitive landscape in MotoGP, setting the stage for more thrilling battles ahead.
