In an exhilarating turn of events, Fabio Quartararo has put the MotoGP world on notice with his impressive second-place finish at Jerez, which could signal the start of an exciting comeback in the 2025 season. After a challenging previous year where he did not secure a single podium, Quartararo’s recent performances have reignited hopes among fans and team members alike. As he gears up for his home race at Le Mans, excitement is building around the prospect of this talented French racer returning to his winning ways.
In 2021, Quartararo made history by clinching his first MotoGP world championship while riding for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. The following season, he continued his strong performance, finishing second overall with three wins and eight podiums. However, the past couple of years have presented formidable challenges for the talented rider. MotoGP is a sport that relies heavily on teamwork, where the synergy between the racer and the machine plays a crucial role in achieving success. Despite his undeniable skill, Quartararo faced a tough season in 2023, marked by a disappointing 13th place standing in the championship, leaving him without a single podium to show for his efforts.
But now, change is in the air at the Yamaha garage, with the arrival of new technical director Max Bartolini providing fresh perspectives and strategies. Although the first three races of the 2025 season had mixed results, Quartararo’s outings in Qatar and Jerez have highlighted the Yamaha bike’s competitive capabilities, particularly with him in the driver’s seat.
In Qatar, Quartararo demonstrated promising speed, qualifying third and finishing fifth in the sprint race, just behind rookie Fermín Aldeguer. On race day at the Lusail International Circuit, he secured a seventh-place finish, just trailing the seasoned Álex Márquez. However, it was at Jerez where Quartararo truly shined, crossing the line in second place, just behind the first-time race winner Álex Márquez. This outcome was even more impressive as Quartararo managed to fend off competition from two-time world champion Pecco Bagnaia, who finished third, cementing the significance of his achievement.
Reflecting on his exhilarating weekend, Quartararo shared his emotions candidly during a post-race interview on After the Flag: “I’m feeling over the moon, to be honest. You know, not only for the podium, but for the moments we leave this weekend with, with the team, with my crew, with my family, with my friends, it was amazing, especially with the pole position. Leading the race after three years, now making the podium, so it was nice. And fighting with these guys is something that I totally forgot, and it’s a great feeling.”
Quartararo’s experience of leading the race for 11 laps marks a refreshing change after a prolonged period of not being at the front. Yet, he remains grounded about his current standing and the challenges ahead. “You know, in the past, I used to win races [laughs],” he said, maintaining a sense of humor about the difficulties faced. “I love to be at the front and lead the race, and this is what we have done today, but the pace was not good enough to keep the first position and be fighting with Alex. But you know, I think, like I always say, we have to be step by step. And already, I think we have skipped some during this weekend, because we had not achieved one top 5 yet this season. And now, straight to the podium in second position.”
He emphasized the importance of remaining calm for the upcoming races: “If the results don’t come yet, we have to be ready to be a little bit in the back.” With the upcoming race in Le Mans, which happens to be Quartararo’s home circuit, there is palpable excitement. Having never won at this venue before, there’s an added motivation festering as he prepares for what could be a defining moment in his career.
“I’m super happy to make this podium just before Le Mans,” Quartararo expressed. “That is my home race, and it’s going to be super special, also because it’s a track that I like; there will be many fans; it’s my home GP; and there will be some nice liveries there, so we’re going to enjoy it.”
As fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming MotoGP race at Le Mans, the excitement surrounding Quartararo is palpable. Could we witness a renaissance for this talented racer? Indeed, two encouraging race weekends back-to-back may hint at the beginnings of a significant comeback. Le Mans could be the stage for Quartararo to showcase not only his skills but also solidify Yamaha’s confidence in what they have built for the future. The question remains: will this weekend in May mark the revival of Fabio Quartararo from the top step of the podium once again? Stay tuned to see how this thrilling chapter in MotoGP unfolds.
