Fabio Quartararo Reveals Why He ‘Always’ Worries on Yamaha After Misano Crash

Fabio Quartararo endured another frustrating weekend at the 2025 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix, crashing out of fourth place during the Misano Sprint race. The 26-year-old Yamaha rider’s misfortune marked his seventh retirement of the season, extending a turbulent year that has seen multiple crashes across several Grand Prix events.

Quartararo’s season has been defined by a series of early exits in Sprint races and main events. He failed to finish the Sprint races at the Spanish GP, Dutch GP, and Hungarian GP, while Yamaha also saw him retire from the French GP, British GP, and Aragon GP. These setbacks have placed significant pressure on the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, who has struggled to find both consistency and confidence in the handling of his YZR-M1.

The Misano Sprint Crash

The Misano Sprint on Saturday added yet another chapter to Quartararo’s challenging season. Starting in P3, Quartararo was running strongly in fourth place on Lap 5 of 13 before disaster struck. The French rider lost the front end of his Yamaha in left-hand Turn 2, a corner where he had previously battled to maintain position against Fabio Di Giannantonio.

“I didn’t crash because I overdid it,” Quartararo said via quotes reported by SPEEDWEEK. “I already felt significant vibrations on the left side of the tyre in the last corner. As I entered Turn 2, the bike bounced. First, the rear wheel and then the front wheel slipped away. I wanted to continue, but it was impossible.”

The crash came despite Quartararo being pursued closely by VR46 riders Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. The Frenchman’s inability to finish was not a result of reckless riding but rather the recurring issue of tyre vibrations, a problem that has haunted him in the early laps of multiple races during the 2025 season.

Struggles With Tyre Performance

Quartararo explained that the soft rear tyre on his Yamaha has been a consistent source of concern, especially in the initial laps of a race. “The first few laps always worry me because we struggle to get the soft rear tyre up to temperature. Even in qualifying, I rode one lap slowly and then two fast,” he said. This delicate balance between warming up the tyres and pushing for position has become a recurring challenge for the French star, affecting both his confidence and race strategy.

The Misano surface, combined with the YZR-M1’s handling characteristics, added complexity to Quartararo’s task. He noted that vibrations through the left-hand side of the rear tyre were already significant before his crash. Riders like Quartararo often push their bikes to the limit to maintain competitive positions, and even small handling inconsistencies can have serious consequences at high speeds.

Misano Sprint Race Context

Misano has now staged another Saturday setback for Quartararo, who has yet to claim a Sprint Race victory in his MotoGP career. While the 11-time Grand Prix winner has shown flashes of brilliance throughout 2025, the combination of tyre concerns and high-pressure starts has repeatedly disrupted his podium aspirations.

In contrast, Aprilia star Marco Bezzecchi won the Misano Sprint, securing his second Sprint victory in his career, having previously won at the 2023 Dutch GP. Bezzecchi started from pole and narrowly beat Alex Marquez by 0.088 seconds, with Quartararo finishing P3, just 0.094 seconds behind him. Ducati’s Marc Marquez qualified P4 for the main Grand Prix, 0.218 seconds off pole.

For Quartararo, these small gaps underscore the fine margins in MotoGP racing. Despite his strong qualifying performance, a slight loss of grip or vibration-induced instability can end a promising race weekend prematurely.

Season Challenges and Recurring Issues

The Misano crash adds to a pattern of difficulties for Quartararo in 2025. The Frenchman retired from the Jerez Sprint after trying to hold off Marc Marquez, while in Assen, he crashed while aiming for a podium. At Balaton Park, he collided with Enea Bastianini at the start of the Sprint, further exemplifying a season marked by technical and situational challenges.

Quartararo’s P3 qualifying in Misano showed that he still has pace, but converting strong grid positions into results remains a critical hurdle. Despite these struggles, he remains optimistic that Yamaha’s race setup can allow him to compete for top-five finishes.

“I hope the tyre performs normally on Sunday,” Quartararo said ahead of the main Grand Prix. “Then we can have a great race. Our pace is good for the top five. Considering our difficulties, it’s very good that I qualified third on the grid.”

Mental Resilience and Determination

Quartararo’s repeated crashes could easily shake a rider’s confidence, but the Frenchman has demonstrated resilience. Recognizing that tyre performance is often beyond his immediate control, he focuses on adapting his riding style and preserving mental focus.

“It’s not just about speed; it’s about managing the bike and tyres,” he explained. “When you know the soft rear is tricky in the early laps, you have to ride smart and control the pace. Every lap is a learning opportunity.”

This mental approach is essential for a rider aiming to contend with the top talents in MotoGP. Quartararo’s season-long struggle with tyres, combined with his ability to consistently qualify near the front, highlights both the technical and psychological challenges of competing at the elite level.

Looking Forward to the San Marino GP

Despite the Misano Sprint disappointment, Quartararo remains focused on the main Grand Prix. With a P3 starting position, he has a strong foundation to fight for points and potentially achieve a top-five finish, which would be a major achievement given his recent run of retirements.

“Sunday is a fresh opportunity,” Quartararo said. “The key will be tyre performance. If we get that right, we can push and see how far we can go. The pace is there, and I believe we can make it count.”

Yamaha’s team engineers will be working closely to address the vibrations and improve stability, giving Quartararo the best chance to translate his qualifying speed into a race result.

Conclusion

Fabio Quartararo’s 2025 Misano Sprint crash highlights the delicate balance between speed, tyre management, and mental focus in MotoGP. Despite seven retirements so far this season, the Frenchman remains a contender when machinery and conditions align.

His candid discussion about tyre vibrations and early-lap worries provides insight into the challenges riders face beyond what fans see on the track. Quartararo’s experience underscores the importance of resilience, technical skill, and strategic thinking in a sport where even minor inconsistencies can have significant consequences.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix, Quartararo hopes to finally convert his P3 qualifying spot into a strong race finish. If he can manage the tyres and maintain focus, a top-five finish would reinforce his status as one of MotoGP’s most talented riders — a rider who continues to push forward despite adversity.