“I Know Where the Problem Is” – Fabio Quartararo Honestly Points Out the Reason for His Decline at MotoGP 2025

The 2025 Dutch MotoGP, held at the legendary Assen Circuit, was supposed to be a turning point for Fabio Quartararo and the Monster Energy Yamaha Team. Starting from pole position, expectations were sky-high for the Frenchman to finally capture his first victory of the 2025 MotoGP season. However, the race unfolded in a way few could have predicted, as Quartararo struggled right from the opening laps and eventually crossed the finish line in a disappointing 10th place.

After the race, Quartararo didn’t hold back in explaining what went wrong during his Dutch Grand Prix. The 2021 world champion revealed that his poor start to the race and a bizarre lack of grip during the opening laps were the main reasons for his underwhelming performance.

A Shocking Fall from Pole Position

Coming into the race weekend, Fabio Quartararo showed strong form. He topped qualifying sessions and secured the coveted first grid slot, giving Yamaha fans hope that the factory squad had finally turned a corner. But when the lights went out on Sunday, reality quickly set in.

“My start was not that bad; it’s just that the others were better and overtook me everywhere,” Quartararo admitted when speaking to reporters after the race. Despite a clean launch off the line, Quartararo struggled to match the acceleration and aggression of the Ducati and KTM riders who rapidly overtook him in the opening corners.

But the bigger issue, according to Quartararo, was the feeling he had in those crucial first laps. “More than the start, the problem was that in the first few laps I felt like I was riding on a wet track,” he explained. “I couldn’t stay in the slipstream, and that’s very frustrating.”

Fighting the Track and the Field

In modern MotoGP, the first few laps are critical. Grip levels are at their lowest, tires are still heating up, and early track position often dictates a rider’s ability to stay in contention. Quartararo’s claim that the track felt wet for him—even though the conditions were dry—speaks volumes about the challenges Yamaha still faces with traction and rear grip.

While other riders around him seemed able to push their machines to the limit, Quartararo found himself unable to match their pace, even in straight-line acceleration. This left him vulnerable to overtakes and unable to latch onto the slipstreams that could help him regain ground. “We can’t do something magical at the moment,” he said with a tone of resignation.

The Unexpected Obstacle: Aldeguer’s Crash

As if his grip problems weren’t enough, Quartararo also had a front-row seat to one of the race’s most dramatic moments—Fermin Aldeguer’s crash on his Gresini Ducati. The incident happened right in Quartararo’s racing line, forcing him to take evasive action. “In a situation like this, you never know what to do. I went into the grass and couldn’t turn faster,” he explained. “In the end, when you end up on the grass, your race is over.”

Going wide and onto the grass at a high-speed section not only cost Quartararo valuable seconds but also destroyed any remaining rhythm he might have had. From that moment, a podium finish was out of reach.

Another Winless Weekend in 2025

The 2025 season has been a tough one for Fabio Quartararo, who is still searching for his first win of the year. The Yamaha factory team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the M1’s grip and acceleration, two areas where they have fallen behind their rivals from Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia.

Quartararo’s best finish so far in the season has been a 4th place at the Portuguese GP, and with more than half the season already in the books, the lack of victories is a growing concern. Even though his qualifying performances have shown flashes of brilliance, race day has consistently exposed Yamaha’s underlying problems.

What’s Next for Quartararo and Yamaha?

With the Dutch GP now behind them, Quartararo and the Yamaha team are setting their sights on the next round at the Sachsenring Circuit in Germany, taking place from July 11-13, 2025. Sachsenring is a tight and twisty track that historically hasn’t favored the Yamaha due to its reliance on corner exit traction and fast transitions.

However, for Quartararo, it’s another opportunity to try to turn his season around. The French rider remains determined but realistic about the challenge ahead. “We have to keep working, keep improving the bike,” Quartararo said. “I know the team is doing everything they can, but we still have a long way to go.”

Team Yamaha’s Struggles Continue

Quartararo’s performance wasn’t the only disappointment for the Monster Energy Yamaha team in Assen. Teammate Alex Rins also failed to make a significant impact, finishing outside the top five. It’s clear that Yamaha’s struggles are not isolated to Quartararo’s side of the garage.

The M1’s lack of competitiveness is becoming a glaring issue in 2025. With most of the grid having adapted to new aerodynamics and rear ride height devices, Yamaha’s package seems increasingly outdated. Quartararo’s post-race comments reinforce the notion that Yamaha is still searching for solutions, especially when it comes to grip on low-traction surfaces and during the early laps when the tire temperatures are sub-optimal.

Quartararo’s Frustration Grows

This isn’t the first time Quartararo has expressed frustration with the bike’s development. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, the Frenchman has been vocal about Yamaha’s need to evolve and adapt to the changing technical landscape of MotoGP. He has repeatedly urged the team to take more risks in development, mirroring the aggressive approach Ducati and KTM have taken in recent years.

“Right now, we are stuck. We need to change something because I’m giving my best, but it’s not enough,” Quartararo said earlier this season. The Dutch GP only reinforced this feeling, as another pole position failed to translate into a podium finish.

Will Fabio Quartararo Stay with Yamaha Beyond 2025?

The question on many paddock insiders’ minds is whether Quartararo will remain loyal to Yamaha beyond his current contract. His deal runs until the end of 2026, but continued poor results could push him to explore options elsewhere.

Rumors have already linked him to possible moves to KTM or even a surprise switch to Aprilia, both manufacturers that have shown competitive growth. For now, Quartararo remains committed to Yamaha, but how long his patience lasts remains to be seen.

A Glimmer of Hope?

Despite the difficulties, Quartararo remains one of the most talented riders on the grid. His qualifying performances show that when the bike is working, he can extract the maximum. The challenge for Yamaha is to give him a race-day package that can match the one-lap speed.

The team has several upgrades planned for the second half of the season, including revised aerodynamics and chassis updates that could help with rear grip. Whether these changes will be enough to close the gap to Ducati and KTM is unclear.

Looking Ahead to Germany

The next challenge awaits at the Sachsenring, a circuit where Quartararo has had mixed results. Historically, the track has favored Marc Marquez and Honda, but in recent years, Ducati and KTM have found success there as well. For Quartararo, the tight nature of the circuit could neutralize some of Yamaha’s straight-line disadvantages, giving him a better shot at the podium.

However, unless Yamaha can fix its early-lap traction woes, Quartararo risks suffering the same fate he did at Assen—falling back in the early chaos and spending the rest of the race playing catch-up.

Conclusion: A Season at a Crossroads

The 2025 Dutch MotoGP was a painful reminder for Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha that qualifying speed alone is not enough. Race pace, grip, and adaptability are what win championships, and right now, Yamaha is lacking in those areas.

As the season heads to the Sachsenring, Quartararo will need to draw on his experience and resilience to keep fighting. He remains a fan favorite and one of the most naturally gifted riders in the paddock. But without the right bike beneath him, his dream of returning to MotoGP glory remains out of reach.

The next few races will be critical, not just for Quartararo’s 2025 campaign, but potentially for his future in the sport. Will Yamaha find answers, or will Quartararo begin looking elsewhere for a competitive ride? Only time will tell.