Fabio Quartararo’s remarkable braking ability, able to brake 20 metres later than his Yamaha teammates, has been a key factor in his strong performances during the 2025 MotoGP season. Despite Yamaha generally struggling as one of the slower manufacturers this year, Quartararo’s unique advantage has allowed him to consistently outperform his rivals on the M1 bike.
The French rider has secured four pole positions and started on the front row in half of the races so far. Alongside this, he has earned two podium finishes across sprints and main races, standing out as the only Yamaha rider consistently finishing in the top 10. His points tally surpasses the combined efforts of fellow Yamaha riders Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira.
Comparing the Braking Techniques of Yamaha’s Riders
Alex Rins has shed light on the critical area where Quartararo gains his edge, emphasizing the Frenchman’s ability to brake far later than others on the Yamaha team. This skill allows Quartararo to gain nearly eight-tenths of a second per lap compared to his teammates, a significant difference in MotoGP terms.
Rins finds himself hindered by issues particularly linked to the soft tire used in qualifying sessions. He explained how this problem leaves him trailing and at a disadvantage during races, unable to close the gap to Quartararo effectively.
Supporting this, Rins has managed to advance to Q2 only four times throughout the 2025 season, highlighting struggles in qualifying compared to his teammate. After the Misano sprint, where Rins again faced difficulties on the soft rear tire, he stated,
“We really struggled a lot. Similar problems to other GPs,”
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
He continued,
“I was really stuck there on the braking side. I could not brake more late, in comparison with Fabio who is braking 20 meters later than me. I saw the data of Oliveira and Miller. They are braking more or less the same as me. So it’s where [Quartararo] makes the difference. It’s where he puts us 0.8s on the fastest lap. As soon as we qualify in this way, P17, it’s quite difficult to do the race. Because we don’t have a lot of chances to overtake.”
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Despite these setbacks, Rins remains determined to improve, adding,
“But apart from that, we need to continue. We need to continue working, continue finding the way.”
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Challenges Faced by Other Yamaha Riders in Qualifying
Pramac Racing’s Miguel Oliveira also highlights qualifying as his primary challenge for the 2025 season, though he expresses satisfaction with his race pace. Oliveira has yet to reach Q2, starting outside the top positions across all races except for the German Grand Prix, where he began 11th after two competitors withdrew.
He reflected on his current form, saying,
“At the point where I am with the bike at the moment, realistically my position is between 13th and 10th,”
Miguel Oliveira, Pramac Racing
Oliveira noted moments when breaking into the top 10 is possible, referencing the San Marino GP,
“Of course at some races, like we saw yesterday [in the San Marino GP], I can be inside the top 10. At the moment I am curious to see how much better I can do in the race if I qualify better. Because the [race] pace is quite good and it’s not so far away from Fabio. So actually I want to just focus on that [qualifying] at the moment.”
Miguel Oliveira, Pramac Racing
The Impact of Quartararo’s Braking Advantage on Yamaha’s Season
Fabio Quartararo’s braking skill provides a sharp contrast to his teammates’ struggles, especially in qualifying, which dictate race day positioning and opportunities to overtake. His ability to brake significantly later allows him to extract faster lap times and secure superior grid spots, leading to better race outcomes.
This exceptional ability has helped Yamaha maintain some competitive respect despite broader performance issues across the manufacturer’s lineup this season. With no other Yamaha rider coming close to matching Quartararo’s late braking and pace, the gap between the team’s top performer and his rivals within is glaringly apparent.
As the 2025 MotoGP season continues, the focus for Yamaha’s other riders will likely remain on improving qualifying performances, which could help bridge the distance to Quartararo’s standard. Meanwhile, fans and teams alike will watch how this braking advantage influences race strategies and championship standings moving forward.
