One Step Back, All the Way Back: Miguel Oliveira Recalls the Strategic Slip at Sachsenring

Miguel Oliveira’s tough 2025 MotoGP season continued at Sachsenring, as the Portuguese rider endured a frustrating Practice session, finishing down in 17th place after what he described as a tactical misstep. Riding for Prima Pramac Yamaha, Oliveira reflected candidly on a day where strategy decisions and tire challenges left him facing the prospect of going through Q1—a scenario made worse by the threat of rain on Saturday.

Time Attack Strategy Backfires for Oliveira

Oliveira didn’t mince words when analyzing his performance. Speaking after the session, he said:

“In my opinion, today we chose the wrong strategy for the time attack during Practice.”

The trouble began early in the session when Oliveira encountered a small bike issue, forcing him to adjust his plan and go out on a longer run with a soft rear tire. Despite the tire’s performance drop, the initial pace was solid, giving Oliveira optimism about the upcoming Sprint race.

But the positive signs didn’t last long. A combination of tire wear and changing conditions forced Oliveira to initiate his time attack earlier than planned. He went out alone on track and posted a decent lap time but was left in a dilemma afterward—should he go out again for a second push, or wait and try to follow another rider?

Waiting for a Reference: A Gamble That Failed

In the hyper-competitive world of MotoGP, catching a slipstream or following another rider through a fast lap can often yield critical tenths of a second. But in Oliveira’s case, waiting turned out to be the wrong call.

“With the team we decided to wait and try to catch a reference — and that turned out to be the wrong choice. Everything went backwards from there.”

Instead of improving his time, Oliveira found himself unable to replicate his earlier pace. The setback leaves him outside the top 10 and forced to fight through Q1 on Saturday—an additional challenge he had hoped to avoid.

Sector Struggles and Hidden Speed

Despite the poor final result, Oliveira found some positives in his analysis. He pointed out that his lap had potential, especially considering how much he struggled in sectors 1 and 2.

“Even though I struggled a bit in sectors 1 and 2, I felt like I had a 1’19” in the pocket.”

That lap would have placed him much closer to the top 10 cutoff. Unfortunately, poor sector times and the timing of his runs meant the lap never materialized when it counted most.

Yamaha’s Mixed Fortunes at Sachsenring

Oliveira’s struggles contrast sharply with the improved pace shown by teammate Jack Miller, who finished the day inside the top 10 and secured an automatic Q2 berth. Miller’s progress highlights the inconsistent fortunes within Pramac Yamaha, where rider performance swings have been a theme throughout 2025.

The ongoing battle between Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller for the 2026 Pramac Yamaha seat adds another layer of pressure. Oliveira, currently under contract but subject to a performance clause, risks losing his place if results don’t improve in the coming races.

Unpredictable Weather Could Complicate Qualifying

Looking ahead to Saturday’s qualifying, Oliveira expressed concern over the weather forecast, which calls for possible rain or mixed conditions. Sachsenring is notoriously difficult in the wet, and the lack of grip and tight layout amplify rider mistakes.

“Let’s see what the conditions are like tomorrow — whether it rains, rains heavily, or if it’s a mix — which would be the most difficult scenario for us.”

If the track becomes unpredictable, Oliveira’s task of progressing from Q1 to Q2 will become significantly more complicated.

How Strategy Shaped Oliveira’s Day

Breaking down Oliveira’s session highlights the razor-thin margins in MotoGP strategy:

• Initial bike issue: disrupted his first run plan.

• Long run on soft tires: good pace but contributed to tire drop.

• Early time attack: yielded an acceptable lap but left uncertainty.

• Waiting for a tow: backfired, as he couldn’t find a fast reference.

• Lost final chance: as conditions or tire life faded.

These decisions show how even small tactical errors in practice can drastically alter the weekend’s outcome.

What’s Next for Miguel Oliveira at Sachsenring?

Oliveira now faces a critical task: survive Q1 and earn a spot in the top 12 for Q2. Success in Q1 will be essential if he hopes to secure points in both the Sprint and main race.

He and his crew will need to make key decisions overnight:

• Stick with their current bike setup or make adjustments?

• Focus on race pace, or maximize one-lap speed?

• Prepare for rain tires, intermediates, or dry conditions?

The answers will dictate whether Oliveira salvages a strong weekend or falls further behind in the standings—and possibly in the 2026 Pramac Yamaha rider battle.

A Learning Moment: Fans Rally Behind Oliveira

Despite the tough session, Oliveira’s fans have shown their support. One fan on social media summed up the mood:

“It’s all good Miguel. Sometimes we win sometimes we LEARN! Today we learnt, tomorrow let’s win!”

It’s a sentiment Oliveira himself seems to embrace. Even after setbacks, the Portuguese rider remains focused on progress and growth.

Pramac Yamaha’s Internal Battle Intensifies

The German GP weekend adds more fuel to the internal battle at Pramac Yamaha. While Jack Miller enjoys a boost in form, Oliveira is battling inconsistency and circumstances beyond his control.

With Yamaha reportedly considering Moto2 star Diogo Moreira for a 2026 MotoGP promotion, every performance counts. If Oliveira cannot close the points gap to Miller, Yamaha may activate his performance clause, freeing them to make a rider change over the summer break.

Weather: The Great Unknown at Sachsenring

With rain clouds looming over Sachsenring, all forecasts suggest that Saturday could be a wet or mixed day—conditions that often level the playing field. Oliveira has had strong wet-weather performances in the past, but mixed conditions (half-dry, half-wet) present an unpredictable challenge.

A wet Q1 could either hand Oliveira a chance to shine or sink his weekend further, depending on his comfort with Yamaha’s wet setup and tire choice.

Final Thoughts: Oliveira Fighting to Stay in the Game

Miguel Oliveira’s German GP weekend isn’t over yet, but Friday’s practice made his task much harder. A combination of tactical missteps, timing issues, and tire wear left him chasing answers rather than celebrating progress.

Yet, Oliveira’s resilience remains one of his trademarks. He’s overcome tougher weekends before. Saturday’s qualifying could still see him turn things around—especially if he capitalizes on changing conditions.

If there’s one takeaway from Sachsenring so far, it’s that Oliveira and Pramac Yamaha can’t afford any more mistakes in 2025. With rider market rumors swirling and team performance clauses looming, every lap matters now.