Fabio Quartararo Happy that the Disaster Race Week has Ended

The Aragon Grand Prix 2025 proved to be a nightmare for Fabio Quartararo, who suffered a crash on lap 13 and ended his weekend on a low note. Despite a slight improvement in performance during the sprint race, the Yamaha rider described the overall event as “catastrophic” and admitted to deep frustration over issues the team could not understand or resolve.

Quartararo’s Aragon Woes Begin on Friday

From the very first free practice session, it was clear that Fabio Quartararo was in for a tough weekend. The Frenchman struggled to find grip, confidence, or rhythm aboard his Yamaha M1, finishing 18th in the combined times on Friday.

“It was a bit of a weekend where we didn’t really understand the problems we had,” Quartararo said in a post-race interview.

This underwhelming performance came as a surprise, considering Quartararo had shown improved pace and competitiveness in the previous three rounds. Yamaha had seemingly turned a corner, but at MotorLand Aragon, those improvements vanished into thin air.

Sprint Race Offers False Hope

Saturday’s MotoGP sprint race offered a glimmer of optimism. Although he could manage only an 11th-place finish, Quartararo reported better sensations on the bike and a strong start to the race.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” he said. “The feeling was good at the beginning.”

However, that momentum did not translate into race-day performance. As the main race unfolded, so too did Quartararo’s chances of redemption.

Disaster Strikes in the Main Race

Starting from ninth place on the grid, Fabio Quartararo maintained his position during the opening laps. But by lap eight, he began to steadily lose ground. Struggling with grip and control, Quartararo slipped to tenth before crashing out on lap 13.

“I didn’t expect anything from this Grand Prix, but I didn’t expect to have these kinds of problems either,” he admitted. “It’s quite tricky and strange to feel like we did during this race.”

The crash was not only a blow to his weekend results but also a sharp reversal of progress made in the last few rounds. Unable to restart the race, Quartararo was left to assess what had gone so wrong with his machine and setup.

Quartararo Frustrated but Realistic

Post-race, Quartararo’s tone was one of resignation mixed with realism.

“Honestly, it was a catastrophic weekend,” he told Canal+. “I’m glad it’s over.”

This was not simply about finishing outside the points or a single crash. It was about a deeper problem: Yamaha’s unpredictability and inability to maintain a consistent performance base.

Quartararo acknowledged the stark contrast between the last four Grands Prix — where he felt competitive — and the dismal showing at Aragon.

“It was complicated to go from three races where we were really much better to a base like that.”

Official Testing Brings Little Hope

While most teams would view the official test on Monday as a chance to regroup and solve problems, Quartararo tempered expectations immediately.

“It’s not going to be a clearing,” he said. “We just have a few small details to try, where we might see a little bit of a difference in the engine.”

He was quick to clarify that the test would not be a silver bullet.

“We shouldn’t rely too much on the settings we’re going to make here. I’ve felt really good in the last four races apart from this one, so we’ll start on the same basis at Mugello.”

What Went Wrong for Quartararo and Yamaha?

A closer analysis reveals several key issues:

• Grip problems: Quartararo never felt connected to the rear of the bike, particularly on used tires

• Inconsistent setup: The Yamaha M1 didn’t behave the same way it had in previous races, causing confidence to plummet

• Mental fatigue: Quartararo admitted he came into Aragon with no high expectations, but the reality was even worse than anticipated

While Yamaha has made incremental gains in power and handling since the start of 2025, the bike’s race-to-race inconsistency remains a serious concern — particularly for a rider like Quartararo, who thrives on rhythm and confidence.

Team Communication and Development Gaps

It’s also worth noting that Quartararo has expressed subtle dissatisfaction with Yamaha’s development pace throughout the 2025 season.

Despite his loyalty to the team, the contrast between Yamaha and manufacturers like Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM is growing. They are evolving aggressively, while Yamaha continues to fall short on both engine development and chassis refinement.

Quartararo’s recent words underscore a growing sense of urgency:

“We can’t keep starting from zero every weekend. There has to be a base we trust, and right now, it’s not there.”

Looking Ahead: Mugello and Beyond

Next up is the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, a fast-flowing circuit where Yamaha has historically struggled due to its lack of top-end speed.

However, Fabio Quartararo remains determined to rebound.

“We’ll go back to the base that worked in the last few races. That’s all we can do.”

But even that may not be enough. Mugello is a power-hungry track, and unless Yamaha can extract more from its engine and improve tire durability, Quartararo may again be on the back foot.

A Crucial Juncture in Quartararo’s Season

The 2025 MotoGP season has seen Fabio Quartararo bouncing between highs and lows. He’s had moments where a podium seemed within reach, and others where he’s barely kept the bike upright. Aragon was a reminder of the fragile state Yamaha’s package is still in.

This round could prove pivotal in terms of Quartararo’s future decisions. With his contract nearing renewal, his patience may be tested. Yamaha needs to show not just promises — but tangible, consistent improvements.

Final Thoughts: Quartararo Keeps His Chin Up, But Pressure Mounts

Fabio Quartararo remains one of the most talented riders on the grid, and his attitude throughout this difficult weekend has been professional and composed. Still, the cracks are beginning to show, and Yamaha is running out of time to fix them.

The Aragon GP was not just a race lost, but a weekend that exposed persistent vulnerabilities in both the Yamaha bike and its race operations. While Quartararo did his best to extract some positives, the reality is clear: Without immediate changes, more “disastrous weekends” could follow.

For now, all eyes turn to Mugello, where Quartararo will aim not just to finish — but to fight back.