Late-Season Fightback: Is Oliveira Proving Yamaha Wrong?

The 2025 MotoGP season has been filled with drama, surprises, and plenty of storylines that will be remembered for years to come. Among them, few have been as intriguing as Miguel Oliveira’s late-season resurgence with Pramac Racing—now a Yamaha satellite team. After struggling in the opening rounds, Oliveira has mounted an impressive fightback in the latter half of the campaign, raising serious questions about whether Yamaha underestimated his talent and long-term value.

Once regarded as one of MotoGP’s brightest rising stars, Oliveira’s path has been anything but straightforward. His current form, however, suggests he may be silencing critics and proving Yamaha wrong at a critical moment in both his career and the manufacturer’s future in the championship.

From KTM to Aprilia and Beyond: Oliveira’s Long Journey

To understand the weight of Oliveira’s comeback, we need to revisit his journey. The Portuguese rider rose through the ranks with Red Bull KTM Tech3, delivering breakthrough victories and cementing his reputation as a smart, tactical racer who could shine in unpredictable conditions.

However, his switch to Aprilia’s satellite squad RNF Racing in 2023 turned into a frustrating chapter. Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of competitive machinery limited his results. Many began to wonder whether Oliveira’s early promise had peaked too soon.

In 2025, he joined Pramac Racing in its new Yamaha partnership, a move that sparked optimism but also skepticism. Yamaha had endured years of decline, struggling to match Ducati’s power and Aprilia’s development gains. Oliveira’s arrival wasn’t expected to dramatically shift Yamaha’s fortunes—but as the season has unfolded, he has become a pivotal figure in their recovery efforts.’

A Rough Start with Yamaha

The opening half of 2025 was difficult for Oliveira and Yamaha. The Pramac package lacked acceleration, straight-line speed, and the adaptability needed for sprint races. Oliveira was often stuck in the midfield, battling for scraps of points while Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM riders fought for podiums.

Fans and pundits alike questioned whether Yamaha had made a mistake bringing Oliveira into the fold instead of betting on younger riders. His critics argued that while Oliveira was talented, he wasn’t the rider to drag Yamaha out of its deep performance slump.

But as the season reached its midway point, something changed. Yamaha introduced updates to its engine and aerodynamics package, and Oliveira began finding the rhythm and confidence that once made him a race winner.

The Late-Season Fightback

Since round 12, Oliveira’s performances have drastically improved. He has consistently battled inside the top six, scored podiums in both sprint and full-length races, and reminded everyone why he was once hailed as one of MotoGP’s most intelligent racers. His racecraft—calm, calculated, and opportunistic—has helped him capitalize on rivals’ mistakes while extracting the maximum from Yamaha’s evolving machine.

One standout moment came during the Misano Grand Prix, where Oliveira surged from ninth on the grid to claim a stunning podium. His precise overtakes and ability to manage tire wear showed flashes of the brilliance that made him a double race winner with KTM. That performance marked a turning point, signaling not only his personal resurgence but also Yamaha’s slow but steady recovery.

Is Yamaha Paying the Price for Doubting Him?

Oliveira’s resurgence has sparked a fascinating question: Did Yamaha undervalue him?

The manufacturer initially framed Oliveira’s signing as a stopgap solution while they developed their next generation of bikes and courted younger talents. Some insiders suggested that Yamaha viewed him as a reliable points-scorer rather than a long-term spearhead.

But Oliveira’s late-season form is challenging that narrative. If he continues this trajectory, Yamaha could find themselves in a difficult position. They may have underestimated his potential to lead development, push the bike forward, and even challenge for race wins.

A Motivated Rider with a Point to Prove

One factor driving Oliveira’s resurgence seems to be motivation. Riders often perform their best when they feel they have something to prove, and Oliveira is no exception. After being shuffled between KTM, Aprilia, and now Yamaha, he has had to constantly defend his place on the grid.

This late-season surge is more than just about scoring points—it is about sending a message. Oliveira is proving that, given the right conditions, he can still be a difference-maker at the highest level. In doing so, he is not only boosting his own career prospects but also potentially forcing Yamaha to rethink their long-term strategy.

Yamaha’s Bigger Picture

For Yamaha, Oliveira’s form could not have come at a better time. The factory has faced years of criticism over poor development, lack of top speed, and the burden placed on Fabio Quartararo as their sole consistent frontrunner. Oliveira’s performances offer Yamaha something it has sorely lacked: depth.

If Yamaha can count on both Quartararo and Oliveira to deliver strong results, it gives them breathing room in development, strategy, and race execution. More importantly, it restores credibility to their project at a time when Ducati dominates the grid.

Comparisons with Jorge Martin and Ducati

Oliveira’s rise also draws comparisons to Jorge Martin, who left Pramac Ducati at the end of 2024 after narrowly missing out on the championship. Martin’s success on Ducati machinery last year highlighted how a satellite rider could thrive with the right package.

Now, Oliveira seems to be carving his own path with Yamaha, proving that satellite riders can play an equally critical role in reshaping a manufacturer’s destiny. While Martin fought for titles with Ducati, Oliveira’s mission is more about transformation—dragging Yamaha back into contention.

The Fan Perspective

For fans, Oliveira’s comeback is a feel-good story. The Portuguese star has always been respected for his humility, intelligence, and resilience. His ability to bounce back from injuries and setbacks resonates with audiences who admire perseverance in the face of adversity.

Social media buzz surrounding Oliveira’s late-season performances has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans calling him “the comeback rider of the year.” Some even argue that he has outperformed expectations more than any other Yamaha rider in the last two seasons.

Looking Ahead: Can Oliveira Become Yamaha’s Leader?

The big question now is whether Oliveira’s late-season form is a temporary purple patch or the start of a long-term role as Yamaha’s development leader. If he continues to secure podiums and push the factory closer to race-winning pace, Yamaha may have no choice but to give him a bigger role in their plans.

At 30 years old, Oliveira still has several prime seasons left. His experience across multiple manufacturers also gives him unique insights that could prove invaluable for Yamaha’s rebuilding process. If Yamaha embraces him as more than just a placeholder, Oliveira could become the cornerstone of their return to competitiveness.

Conclusion: Proving Yamaha Wrong

Miguel Oliveira’s late-season fightback is more than just a personal triumph—it’s a statement. He has taken a struggling Yamaha package and shown that, with patience and determination, podiums are still possible.

In doing so, he may be forcing Yamaha to reevaluate their approach. What was once considered a stopgap signing is now looking like one of the smartest moves they’ve made in years. If Oliveira continues on this trajectory, history may remember 2025 not as the year Yamaha wrote him off—but as the year he proved them wrong.