“Great Improvement” – Quartararo Praises Yamaha After Taking the Lead in Assen

Fabio Quartararo has returned to the top of the timing sheets in style. After back-to-back disappointing rounds in Aragon and Mugello, the Yamaha rider stunned the MotoGP paddock by finishing Friday’s practice at the Dutch Grand Prix as the fastest rider on track. In a chaotic and crash-riddled afternoon session at Assen, Quartararo emerged with a resurgent 1:31.765s lap that marked his first time leading a MotoGP session since his pole run earlier in the season.

For Quartararo, who’s been seeking confidence and competitiveness in 2025, the Assen breakthrough is a crucial turning point—and one that couldn’t have come at a better time.

Yamaha’s Breakthrough: Quartararo Shines When It Matters Most

The second practice session at Assen wasn’t easy. It was extended due to two red flag stoppages, caused by severe crashes involving Ai Ogura and Lorenzo Savadori, both suffering nasty highsides. To add to the tension, title leader Marc Marquez suffered his second crash of the day, with a fast off at Turn 7 that left him winded but uninjured.

Amid the drama, Fabio Quartararo stayed calm and focused. He delivered a perfect late-session lap to beat Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez and KTM rookie Pedro Acosta for top spot.

“We managed a great improvement in the afternoon. The setting change made a big difference,” Quartararo told MotoGP.com. “Let’s see if we can make another step forward tomorrow.”

The Assen circuit, known for its flowing, high-speed layout, seemed to unlock new potential in the YZR-M1. Yamaha’s recent upgrades to its chassis and electronics appear to have paid off—especially under cooler conditions, which Quartararo admitted played to his and the bike’s strengths.

From Frustration to Focus: Quartararo Bounces Back

The result was particularly satisfying given Quartararo’s struggles at Aragon and Mugello, where he had been vocal about the limitations of the Yamaha package. In those races, he lacked rear grip, front-end feel, and couldn’t trust the bike on corner entry—key elements of his natural style.

But at Assen, something clicked.

“This morning was really tricky. I don’t know why we struggled so much,” he said. “But this afternoon, we found something that worked. The bike felt great.”

This “something” appears to be a suspension and geometry adjustment, one that better suits Assen’s smooth surface and long, fast bends. By improving stability and rear-end connection, Quartararo could finally push the limits without second-guessing the machine beneath him.

Assen Conditions Favor Yamaha’s Traits

Assen has long been a favorite for technical riders—and Quartararo is no exception. The lower track temperature, high grip levels, and progressive corners played perfectly into Yamaha’s traditional strengths: corner speed and balance.

“All the little details matter,” Quartararo explained. “The temperature, the layout, the tyre drop—it all plays a role. And here, those things help us more.”

With rubber building on the track and warmer temperatures expected throughout the weekend, Quartararo knows Saturday will bring new challenges. But the base setting is strong, and that’s a huge boost heading into Q2 and the Sprint Race.

Crashes Galore: Nine Riders Hit the Ground in FP2

The story of FP2 wasn’t just Quartararo’s time—it was the chaos that surrounded it. A total of nine crashes disrupted the session, many of them dramatic and high-speed.

• Ai Ogura suffered a vicious highside early in the session, bringing out the first red flag.

• Lorenzo Savadori followed with an almost identical crash, causing the second stoppage.

• Marc Marquez went down hard for the second time on Friday, sliding off at Turn 7 in a scary moment.

Despite the high attrition rate, Quartararo remained composed, running longer stints with minimal risk before unleashing his fastest lap in the final minutes.

Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta Keep Pressure On

While Quartararo took top honors, both Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta showed serious pace. Marquez, now a consistent threat on the Gresini Ducati, was just 0.065s behind Quartararo. Acosta, the teenage sensation, was another tenth behind and continues to impress with his fearless approach and adaptive style.

Their pace hints at an explosive qualifying battle, as both appear comfortable with the track and capable of pulling something special out of the bag.

Morale Boost for Yamaha: Confidence Returns

Friday’s performance is more than just a lap time for Yamaha—it’s a morale boost for an embattled factory. After a tough 2024 season and rocky start to 2025, the sight of Quartararo back on top is validation for the Japanese manufacturer’s ongoing development efforts.

Team Manager Massimo Meregalli praised the work behind the scenes:

“This result reflects the hours of testing, data analysis, and collaboration between rider and crew. We’re not finished yet—but this is a big step.”

Alex Rins Frustrated Despite Progress

While Quartararo soared, his Yamaha teammate Alex Rins endured a frustrating day. The Spaniard finished 13th, missing out on Q2 qualification by 0.675s. Although Rins showed promise in race pace, he couldn’t find the clean lap he needed during the time attack.

“It’s hard to stay focused when so many riders crash,” Rins admitted. “I played it safe early on. But we struggled to heat the medium tyre, and by the time I switched to softs, there wasn’t much time left.”

Still, Rins pointed out his ideal lap time was 0.3s faster than his best, showing there’s potential if he nails a clean run in Q1 on Saturday.

Pramac’s Oliveira and Miller Face Q1 Challenge

Elsewhere, Pramac Racing riders Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller had disappointing results, finishing 14th and 16th respectively. Both will need to fight their way through Qualifying 1, where they’ll be joined by other notable names like Raul Fernandez and Joan Mir.

For Miller, Assen was expected to be a turning point. After helping Yamaha develop their new V4 engine, he’s been hoping for consistent results to justify a contract extension. Friday’s outcome keeps him in limbo.

Oliveira, meanwhile, continues to battle through a performance clause in his contract. With just a few points in the standings, every session carries extra weight for the Portuguese rider.

The Weekend Ahead: Can Quartararo Turn Pole into Victory?

The Assen circuit, also known as the “Cathedral of Speed,” has witnessed many defining moments in MotoGP history. Fabio Quartararo’s performance on Friday has put him in prime position to create another—this time as a potential Sprint winner and main race contender.

The next step is translating practice pace into qualifying performance and race execution. Yamaha has often shown flashes in practice only to fall back when the flag drops. Quartararo is well aware of this:

“We’ve made a big step today. But now we need to back it up with a strong Q2 and manage the rear tyre during the Sprint.”

Tyre degradation is expected to play a major role, especially if the track temperature increases. But if Yamaha can continue the momentum and manage rear grip, Quartararo could find himself on the podium—or even back on the top step.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Quartararo and Yamaha?

Fabio Quartararo’s Assen turnaround isn’t just a feel-good Friday story—it could be the start of a resurgence for both rider and factory. After months of frustration and doubt, the 2021 MotoGP champion reminded everyone why he remains one of the sport’s elite talents.

The atmosphere in the Yamaha garage has shifted. Confidence is growing, and belief is returning. Whether this leads to a full-season revival remains to be seen—but one thing is certain:

Fabio Quartararo is back in business, and MotoGP just got a lot more interesting.