The Unexpected Factor That Helped Miguel Oliveira Shine With P9 in San Marino

The 2025 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix brought different fortunes for Yamaha’s two riders, with Miguel Oliveira standing out for his consistency and intelligent race management. While teammate Fabio Quartararo struggled with severe physical strain on his factory Yamaha, Oliveira quietly delivered one of his most composed performances of the year, crossing the line in ninth place. It was not a podium or headline-grabbing result, but given Yamaha’s ongoing struggles in 2025, Oliveira’s performance at Misano represented a step forward and highlighted the unexpected factor that helped him shine: tire strategy.

A Solid Weekend Built on Consistency

Oliveira entered the San Marino weekend with cautious optimism. His Pramac Yamaha machine, while carrying the same limitations as the factory bike, had shown flashes of potential in recent rounds. Saturday’s sprint race didn’t go exactly to plan, but the Portuguese rider and his team left with a valuable takeaway: the medium rear tire was the best option for race day.

That decision proved crucial. Oliveira started the main race on Sunday with a clear plan: maintain a clean start, avoid losing positions early, and then build a rhythm that could keep him inside the top ten. This strategy worked perfectly. He avoided the chaos in the opening laps, stayed consistent, and used the strengths of the medium rear to manage grip across the race distance.

Afterward, Oliveira summed up his feelings in typically calm fashion:

“I had a very solid race and I’m happy with that. After yesterday’s Sprint Race, we were confident that using the medium rear would give us better grip balance, and that was confirmed both in the warm-up and in the race. It turned out to be a positive day: I had a clean start, didn’t lose time or positions in the opening laps, and that really helped me to set a consistent pace. The limitations of the bike were there as always, like the vibrations from the tire on corner entry, but we were already aware of that.”

The Tire Choice That Made the Difference

In modern MotoGP, tire choice is often the defining factor between a strong result and a disappointing one. For Oliveira, the decision to go with the medium rear tire was the “unexpected factor” that changed the complexion of his San Marino race.

While Quartararo also used the medium, he pushed harder in the early stages and later paid the price in terms of physical strain and tire wear. Oliveira, on the other hand, adopted a measured, conservative approach, preserving the tire’s life and ensuring that he could remain competitive all the way to the checkered flag.

The result was clear: a clean, consistent ride that earned him ninth place and valuable points for both himself and Pramac Yamaha.

Managing Yamaha’s Limitations

Of course, Oliveira was quick to acknowledge that the Yamaha package is still far from competitive compared to Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia. The Portuguese rider noted ongoing limitations in stability and vibrations on corner entry, two issues that have plagued Yamaha riders throughout 2025.

However, what made his San Marino performance stand out was how effectively he managed those weaknesses. Rather than over-pushing and risking mistakes, Oliveira adjusted his riding style to minimize the impact of the M1’s shortcomings. By focusing on smooth throttle application, consistent lines, and race-long rhythm, he was able to neutralize some of the disadvantages and still bring home a respectable result.

A Lesson in Race Management

Oliveira’s San Marino ride was not about spectacular overtakes or blistering lap times—it was about race management. He understood that Yamaha could not match the raw speed of Ducati and Aprilia, so his best chance was to stay disciplined, avoid errors, and capitalize on opportunities when rivals faltered.

That approach contrasts with Quartararo, who, despite his incredible talent, often pushes the Yamaha beyond its comfort zone in search of podiums. Oliveira’s methodical style may not always deliver fireworks, but it has given him more consistent results and fewer physical struggles.

In fact, Oliveira’s ability to stay calm under pressure is one of his most underrated qualities. While many riders become frustrated when their machinery holds them back, the Portuguese rider focuses on maximizing what he has. At Misano, that mindset was on full display.

Building Momentum in a Tough Season

For Miguel Oliveira, ninth place in San Marino is more than just another top-ten finish. It represents a small but important step forward in a season where Yamaha riders have often found themselves battling outside the points. Every result like this builds confidence, both for Oliveira personally and for the Pramac Yamaha project as a whole.

Oliveira has openly admitted that Yamaha still has a long way to go before it can compete at the very front again. However, results like Misano show that with the right strategy, the bike is at least capable of producing solid, point-scoring rides. For a rider like Oliveira, who thrives on consistency and resilience, this type of result is a platform he can build on for the remaining races of 2025.

The Value of Experience

One of the key reasons Oliveira was able to shine at Misano lies in his experience as a MotoGP rider. Having raced for KTM and now Yamaha, he understands how to adapt his style to different machines and conditions. That adaptability was crucial at Misano, where tire wear and physical demands caught out others.

Oliveira’s measured approach demonstrates the importance of veteran experience in MotoGP. While younger talents like Pedro Acosta are dazzling fans with raw speed, riders like Oliveira show the value of race craft, tire management, and composure. In a sport where every detail counts, that experience can be the difference between finishing inside or outside the top ten.

Looking Ahead for Oliveira and Yamaha

With the San Marino Grand Prix in the books, Oliveira and Yamaha now turn their attention to the remaining races of the season. While a podium seems unlikely given the current performance gap, Oliveira’s ninth place at Misano suggests that consistent top-ten finishes are possible if the right strategies are employed.

The Portuguese rider will also be hoping Yamaha can bring small updates to improve stability and electronics, areas that continue to frustrate both him and Quartararo. But even without major upgrades, Oliveira has shown he can adapt and find positives in difficult circumstances.

Conclusion

The 2025 San Marino Grand Prix may not have been a headline event for Miguel Oliveira, but his ride to ninth place was a quietly impressive demonstration of intelligence, patience, and strategy. The unexpected factor of tire choice turned out to be the foundation of his success, allowing him to balance grip, pace, and consistency better than many of his rivals.

While Yamaha continues to grapple with its limitations, Oliveira’s result was a reminder that experience and race craft can still produce valuable results. For Oliveira, Misano was not just another top-ten finish—it was proof that even in a difficult season, he can still shine when circumstances align. And for Yamaha, it was a small but meaningful step toward rebuilding credibility in MotoGP’s most competitive era.