Yamaha has but to win in MotoGP since Fabio Quartararo received the 2022 German Grand Prix, however they’ve made progress regardless of solely scoring one Grand Prix podium in 2025.
Specifically, Yamaha solved the issue of rising tire temperatures, leading to extra explosive energy in qualifying. This enchancment was highlighted by Fabio Quartararo’s 5 pole positions in 2025, greater than every other rider bar’s 2025 champion Marc Marquez.
“The issue previously was that we could not put in loads of vitality rapidly and warmth up the tires,” Michelin two-wheel motorsport supervisor Piero Taramasso informed MotoGP.com.
“Now they’ve improved it and Fabio (Quartararo) may be very aggressive and brakes very arduous so he’s very sturdy to do it.”
“This fashion the load of the bike is added to the entrance and rear tires. He will get them heat sufficient to get grip.”
Yamaha MotoGP Technical Director Max Bartolini added that Quartararo’s expertise with the YZR-M1 allowed him to develop sure traits geared toward avoiding the bike’s greatest weak point: straight-line pace.
“He (Quartararo) grew up on Yamaha, so he is aware of the constructive and unfavorable traits of the bike,” Bartolini mentioned.
“He is superb at deciphering the bike and understanding the boundaries of this bike.
“Additionally, Jack (Miller) put in a very good quick lap, so I believe that was progress for us.
“Actually, it is nonetheless not sufficient, as a result of we have to keep within the first two or three rows extra constantly.”
If pole place is proof of Yamaha’s one-lap progress, Quartararo’s solely podium at Jerez is proof of Yamaha’s continued lack of efficiency on Sunday.
“When a tire loses grip, like everybody else, they lose 0.2 grip and we lose 10 grip. That is the issue we have now now,” Bartolini defined.
“When you’ve gotten a spread of adjustment across the grip, which implies when the tires are new, it’s a lot simpler and you’ll exploit the potential of the bike.
“If the tires drop, you will not be capable to use the bike’s potential in any case, as a result of it is troublesome to regulate.”
The Italian engineer added that Quartararo is making an attempt to regulate his driving fashion to guard his tires. “Fabio is making an attempt to do one thing, he is making an attempt to open the throttle rigorously, he is making an attempt to get in form, he is making an attempt to make all the pieces as easy as doable.”
Taramasso additionally mentioned that he believes the Yamaha is a motorbike that performs higher with used tires than with new tires as a result of the traits of the Yamaha trigger it to develop into much less responsive because the tires put on.
“When the tires are new, the grip degree may be very excessive and the bike sticks to the race observe very arduous,” he mentioned.
“Once you apply vitality and cargo, when the tire all of a sudden loses grip, the motion turns into very sturdy, very aggressive, and the bike strikes rather a lot.
“Yamaha cannot skate and might’t get sufficient pace.
“With this tire, the tire motion is extra progressive and gentler, making it extra predictable.
“It helps us get the precise line and we all know that Yamaha’s energy is pace within the corners, in order that’s one thing that helps Yamaha.”
