Following the conclusion of the 2025 MotoGP title secured by Marc Marquez, the recent practice sessions in Indonesia presented some of the most unusual conditions seen this season, largely due to issues with unpredictable tyre grip MotoGP riders experienced. Fabio Quartararo highlighted that the erratic behavior of the tyres played a central role in the challenges faced on the Mandalika circuit during Friday’s practice.
The Mandalika track, rarely used and located near the sea in Indonesia, often has dirt accumulation affecting early running days. However, Quartararo pointed out that while the circuit’s grip itself was adequate, the tyres were not performing as expected. He emphasized the difficulty came from the tyres reacting unpredictably, which impacted the performance of many riders on the grid.
Tyre Construction Causes Grip Difficulties on Track
Quartararo detailed that the rear tyre carcass, particularly the harder, heat-resistant version deployed in Mandalika, Thailand, and Austria, was at the core of the uneven handling. He recalled similar issues from the previous year and confirmed they persisted in the current season, affecting rider confidence and lap times.
I think that the grip is good but just the tyre reacts in a way that is unpredictable,
Fabio Quartararo said after Practice in Indonesia.
The feeling is like I ride super-tense. It didn’t feel great and I think it’s the feeling of many other riders that rode today.
Basically I think it’s just the rear carcass,
Quartararo explained.
We had the same issue last year and we had the same this year.
It’s really related to the carcass, and I think that some riders feel it more than others. Really tough.
It’s exactly the same carcass and same tyre as last year, but last year the feeling was not good, so this is why.
Yamaha Riders Show Stronger Performance Despite Tyre Issues
Friday’s sessions exposed a striking contrast between Yamaha and Ducati teams, as three YZR-M1 bikes advanced directly to Q2, unlike four of Ducati’s six machines, including Francesco Bagnaia and the newly crowned World Champion Marc Marquez, who failed to qualify. This unusual result underscored the effect of the tyre troubles across manufacturers.
Quartararo expressed admiration for his Yamaha teammates Alex Rins and Miguel Oliveira, who managed to maintain competitive lap times despite the challenging tyre behavior that slowed many others.
I think that many riders like Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia], like Marc [Marquez], I didn’t really check, but also Alex Marquez who is 10th, for sure are not feeling so great with the tyres,
Quartararo noted.
“But I was really impressed by Alex [Rins] and Miguel [Oliveira] that were able to go fast.
In my case, I could make one lap at the end but the feeling was clearly not there. So, impressed by Miguel and Alex today.
Quartararo dismissed the idea that Ducati’s lack of top results represented a deep struggle, describing the issue as primarily tyre confidence rather than an outright performance deficit.
I think we are always seeing Ducati 1-2-3,
he said. “For the first time, they are not there, and it’s not for one time they’re suffering.
“For me, Aldeguer is second, so it’s not really suffering, it’s just suffering because of the rear tyre that gives no confidence to the riders.
“I think this is what happened: some riders feel more than others, but I don’t think there’s a specific bike that is suffering more or less.
We saw three Yamahas– for me, today, as soon as we started the practice I was not expecting to be in Q2. At the end, Miguel and Alex are also there.
Implications and Expectations for Upcoming Sessions
The unusual results and discomfort with the tyres signal ongoing challenges for teams as they adapt to Mandalika’s conditions and this particular tyre specification. The unpredictable tyre grip MotoGP riders face complicates finding a stable setup, increasing the difficulty of extracting maximum performance.
Moving forward, the teams will likely focus heavily on adjustments to counter the rear tyre’s inconsistent feedback, with riders seeking solutions to ease tension and regain confidence on track. This situation adds an extra layer of complexity to the competition, influencing strategies and potentially altering usual qualifying and race dynamics.
