Quartararo Dominates Chaotic Practice at Assen, Yamaha Rises to Glory

Fabio Quartararo delivered a stunning performance at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, closing out Friday’s extended second MotoGP practice session with the fastest time of the day. The Yamaha rider clocked a 1:31.156s, narrowly edging out Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta in a session that was as unpredictable as it was dramatic.

With multiple crashes, two red flags, and fluctuating track conditions, the second practice was anything but routine. However, in the midst of the mayhem, Quartararo’s calm execution and consistent pace stood out—a positive sign for both rider and manufacturer as Yamaha fights to regain top-tier status in 2025.

Quartararo Hits Back with Statement Lap

After a difficult start to the 2025 season, Fabio Quartararo has been searching for confidence, especially during time-attack runs. That confidence returned in full at Assen, as the Frenchman delivered a clean and composed lap that topped the timesheets by a full tenth.

“It felt great to put together a lap like that,” Quartararo told reporters. “We’ve been working hard on the setup and today, it really clicked.”

Yamaha’s improvements in turning and acceleration seem to be paying off, and Quartararo capitalized with excellent corner speed in sector two and superior braking in sector three—historically strong areas for him at the Dutch track.

Red Flags and Chaos: Eight Riders Fall, Practice Stretched to the Limit

The second practice session was disrupted twice due to severe crashes, first involving Ai Ogura and later Lorenzo Savadori. Both red flags led to extended stoppages, causing the session to run longer than usual and creating tension among teams trying to nail their Q2 qualification laps.

In total, eight riders crashed in the extended outing. Among them was Marc Marquez, who fell hard at Turn 7. Though he appeared winded and received attention in the gravel, no injuries have been confirmed as of now.

The treacherous conditions and high stakes for direct Q2 passage made for a chaotic session, pushing both riders and machines to their limits.

Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta: The Closest Challengers

Alex Marquez once again showed his evolution at Gresini Racing, finishing just 0.107s behind Quartararo. The Spaniard displayed brilliant form on both used and soft tyres, setting up what could be a thrilling qualifying duel on Saturday.

Pedro Acosta, the prodigious KTM rookie, secured third place with another blistering run. His natural riding style and fearlessness through Assen’s fast-flowing corners earned him high praise. Though still just 20 years old, Acosta continues to prove he’s ready to mix it with the best in MotoGP.

Bezzecchi Outpaces Factory Ducatis to Lead Aprilia Charge

Marco Bezzecchi was one of the day’s most pleasant surprises. After switching to Aprilia machinery, many expected a steep learning curve—but Bezzecchi is proving that he’s adapted quickly. His fourth-place finish not only confirmed Aprilia’s competitiveness but also put him ahead of factory Ducati stars like Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

Bezzecchi’s pace in both time attack and longer runs reflects Aprilia’s recent progress in finding rear grip and top-end stability, especially in high-speed sequences like Assen’s famed Ramshoek and Hoge Heide.

Mixed Day for Ducati: Bagnaia and Marquez in the Shadows

While Ducati entered the weekend as favorites, neither Francesco Bagnaia nor Marc Marquez cracked the top five in FP2. Bagnaia, in particular, looked more stable compared to Mugello, but still struggled to match the raw speed of Quartararo and Bezzecchi.

Marquez’s crash at Turn 7 complicated his Friday efforts. Despite showing strong form in the earlier stages of the session, the fall halted his momentum. He will have to rebuild confidence quickly if he wants a front-row start at Assen.

With Ducati facing increasing competition from Yamaha, KTM, and Aprilia, Saturday’s qualifying session could be a true battleground.

VR46 Ducati Duo Makes Q2 Cut

Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli both booked their tickets to Q2, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively. Riding for VR46 Racing, the duo showed solid pace in both short and long runs.

Morbidelli’s performance, in particular, was a welcome return to form. Once a MotoGP title contender, the Italian has endured a rocky path in recent years. A top-ten showing at Assen could boost his confidence and stability within the team.

Di Giannantonio, still adapting to the VR46 environment, continues to impress with calculated aggression and technical awareness—traits that should serve him well in the qualifying gauntlet.

Vinales and Zarco Secure Crucial Q2 Spots

Maverick Vinales, riding for Tech3 KTM, finished eighth after a strong final stint. The Spaniard has been one of the most consistently underrated riders this season, and his continued top-ten appearances show that KTM’s satellite setup is working.

Johann Zarco, representing LCR Honda, claimed 10th and the final automatic Q2 spot. It’s a rare bright moment for Honda in a season filled with struggles. Zarco’s veteran touch and technical feedback have helped the team squeeze more out of an otherwise difficult package.

Close But No Cigar: Fernandez Misses Out by 0.001s

Raul Fernandez, now riding for Trackhouse Racing, missed Q2 by the slimmest of margins—just 0.001 seconds. Despite the heartbreak, his performance turned heads. He lapped faster than Fermin Aldeguer and showed flashes of the aggression that marked his Moto2 dominance.

Trackhouse continues to impress in its first season in MotoGP, and Fernandez could be on the cusp of a breakout ride—possibly even tomorrow in Q1.

Struggles Continue for Bastianini, Miller, and Mir

Enea Bastianini, once seen as Ducati’s future star, could only manage 15th. His struggles with rear traction and mid-corner adjustments continue to plague his weekends. With rumors of his factory seat being under threat, the pressure is mounting.

Jack Miller and Joan Mir followed in 16th and 17th, respectively. Miller, still adjusting to Yamaha machinery, has shown effort but lacks the consistency needed to reach Q2. Mir’s battle with Honda’s lack of grip and front-end feel continues to be a nightmare, and patience is running thin in the Repsol garage.

Brad Binder, surprisingly, rounded out the lower-tier finishers, a far cry from his usual form. KTM will need to dig deep to bring their lead rider back into contention.

Tail Enders: Tough Day for Aprilia and Honda Wildcards

Lorenzo Savadori, Ai Ogura, Somkiat Chantra, and Aleix Espargaro rounded out the session, each dealing with unique challenges. Savadori and Ogura were involved in the red flag incidents, while Espargaro, returning from injury, clearly wasn’t pushing at full capacity.

Despite the disappointing positions, Aprilia and Honda are using this weekend as part of development-focused goals rather than pure results.

The Takeaway: Quartararo Sparks New Hope for Yamaha

Fabio Quartararo’s session-topping performance is more than just a fast lap—it’s a signal that Yamaha may be back in the fight. While one practice session doesn’t win championships, the Frenchman’s speed and composure under pressure suggest a breakthrough.

Yamaha’s updates to aerodynamics, engine smoothness, and chassis stiffness may finally be bearing fruit. If Quartararo can back this pace up in Q2 and the race, it will mark a critical turning point in both his season and Yamaha’s wider project.

“There’s more to come,” Quartararo hinted. “Let’s see how we go in qualifying.”

If there’s one lesson from this chaotic and revealing Friday, it’s this: MotoGP 2025 remains wide open—and Quartararo just threw Yamaha back into the conversation.