Miguel Oliveira Overcomes Front Tire Issues to Finish P14 in Thailand, Surpassing Factory Yamaha Riders

The 2025 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix was a race filled with intense battles, challenging track conditions, and unexpected twists. Among the riders who demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience was Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese rider faced significant challenges due to a ‘cooked’ front tire but still managed to secure a P14 finish. Notably, he outperformed both factory Yamaha riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, proving his competitive edge despite mechanical adversities.

Race Overview: A Challenging Day at Buriram

The Buriram International Circuit is notorious for its demanding nature, especially when combined with the sweltering Thai heat. The 2025 race saw exceptionally high track temperatures, which played a crucial role in tire degradation and overall race strategy. Riders had to manage their tires carefully to maintain consistency over the 26-lap race.

Marc Marquez, riding for Ducati, clinched a thrilling victory, leading an all-Ducati podium alongside his brother Alex Marquez and reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia. Meanwhile, Oliveira, representing Pramac Yamaha, had to navigate through the challenges of a severely worn-out front tire, which made braking and cornering increasingly difficult as the race progressed.

Despite these hurdles, Oliveira demonstrated strategic riding and resilience, avoiding major incidents and finishing in a respectable P14. More impressively, he managed to stay ahead of both Yamaha factory riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, who finished P15 and P17, respectively.

The Impact of a ‘Cooked’ Front Tire in MotoGP

In MotoGP, tire management is a crucial factor that can make or break a rider’s race. The front tire, in particular, plays a vital role in maintaining stability under braking and ensuring optimal cornering performance. When a front tire overheats or becomes ‘cooked,’ its rubber composition degrades, leading to reduced grip and increased braking distances. This makes handling the bike particularly challenging, especially on circuits like Buriram that require heavy braking into slow corners.

For Oliveira, the ‘cooked’ front tire meant that every lap required precise control and calculated risks. A less experienced rider might have struggled to finish the race under such conditions, but Oliveira’s skill allowed him to mitigate the effects of tire wear and maintain a competitive pace.

How Oliveira Managed to Outperform the Factory Yamaha Riders

One of the biggest talking points of the race was how Oliveira, despite riding for Pramac Yamaha, managed to finish ahead of the factory Yamaha duo of Quartararo and Rins. The factory team, with direct support from Yamaha, is expected to have an edge over satellite teams like Pramac. However, Oliveira’s ability to outperform them suggests several key factors at play:

1. Riding Experience and Adaptability

Oliveira has a reputation for being one of the most adaptable riders on the grid. He has demonstrated in the past that he can extract maximum performance from his machine, even in less-than-ideal conditions. His ability to manage tire wear better than his Yamaha counterparts allowed him to sustain his pace towards the end of the race, while Quartararo and Rins struggled.

2. Pramac Yamaha’s Setup Strategy

The Pramac team may not have the same level of factory support as the main Yamaha team, but they have shown strong technical acumen in optimizing bike setup for specific race conditions. Oliveira’s crew likely focused on a setup that would allow him to maintain stability and conserve the front tire longer, giving him a competitive advantage over Quartararo and Rins, whose setups may not have been as effective in managing tire degradation.

3. Race Craft and Decision-Making

Oliveira’s intelligent racecraft was evident in how he managed his pace. Rather than pushing too hard in the early stages and exacerbating his tire issues, he took a measured approach, ensuring he had enough grip to defend his position in the latter half of the race. His strategic overtaking and defensive riding allowed him to maintain P14 without unnecessary risks.

Factory Yamaha’s Struggles: What Went Wrong?

While Oliveira’s performance was commendable, it also raises questions about the struggles of the factory Yamaha team. Quartararo and Rins, both highly skilled riders, had a disappointing race, failing to break into the top 10 and finishing behind a satellite Yamaha bike.

1. Yamaha’s Tire Management Issues

One of the major challenges for Yamaha has been tire wear, particularly in hot conditions. The factory team has struggled in recent years to maintain performance over a full race distance in high-temperature environments. Quartararo, who has previously voiced concerns about Yamaha’s lack of race pace consistency, once again found himself unable to push in the latter half of the race.

2. Lack of Top-End Speed

Compared to Ducati, Yamaha has consistently lacked top-end speed, making overtaking difficult. In Thailand, where multiple high-speed straights are crucial for overtaking, Yamaha’s limitations were evident. This meant that both Quartararo and Rins had a hard time fighting back once they lost positions.

3. Setup Miscalculations

It’s possible that Yamaha miscalculated their setup for the Thai Grand Prix, leading to premature tire wear and an inability to maintain pace. While Oliveira’s team seemed to have found a better balance, the factory riders struggled to extract performance from their bikes.

What This Means for Oliveira and Yamaha Moving Forward

Oliveira’s strong performance despite his challenges sends a clear message: he is capable of competing at a high level even when conditions are against him. This raises interesting possibilities for the rest of the season. If Pramac Yamaha continues to fine-tune their bike setup effectively, Oliveira could become a consistent top-10 contender, potentially even challenging for podiums in favorable conditions.

For the factory Yamaha team, this race serves as a wake-up call. If a satellite rider can outperform their factory riders under the same conditions, it suggests there are fundamental issues within the team’s approach to race setup and strategy. Yamaha must address their weaknesses, particularly in tire management and top-end speed, if they want to remain competitive against Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia.

Conclusion: A Performance to Remember

Miguel Oliveira’s P14 finish in the 2025 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix may not have been a podium result, but given the circumstances, it was a highly impressive performance. Overcoming a ‘cooked’ front tire and still managing to outperform both factory Yamaha riders speaks volumes about his talent and racecraft.

As the MotoGP season progresses, Oliveira’s ability to handle adversity and extract maximum performance from his bike will be a crucial asset. If Pramac Yamaha can continue to refine their approach, Oliveira has the potential to challenge for even stronger finishes in the upcoming races. Meanwhile, Yamaha’s factory team faces urgent questions about their competitiveness and must find solutions quickly if they want to regain their position at the top of the championship standings.

One thing is certain: Oliveira’s performance in Thailand has set the tone for an exciting season ahead, and fans will be eager to see what he can achieve next.