The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team showed heart and hustle at the Grand Prix of Japan, navigating a demanding 24-lap contest with unwavering determination. Fabio Quartararo fought hard to secure 8th place, while Álex Rins endured a rollercoaster race to finish 18th, as the team continues its push for stronger results in the final stretch of the season.
Quartararo Holds His Ground
Starting from P5, Quartararo launched into fourth by the end of lap one, but grip issues soon hampered his pace. Despite falling back to ninth, the Frenchman held off a charging Johann Zarco and capitalized on Pedro Acosta’s late mistake to reclaim P8, crossing the line 21.160s behind the race winner.
“I gave everything I had at the start,” said Quartararo. “It was tough to fight with limited grip, but I managed the pressure and brought home solid points. Huge congrats to Marc Márquez—he truly earned this title.”
Rins Fights Through the Pack
Rins made a clean start from P17, quickly climbing to P14 by lap 3. But mid-race battles with Bastianini, Miller, and Nakagami saw him lose momentum. A wide moment at Turn 11 and tyre drop-off further complicated his run, ultimately finishing P18, 34.792s off the lead.
“The first half felt promising,” Rins shared. “I made some good moves early on, but a mistake and tyre wear cost me positions. Still, we’re closer than last round and I’m optimistic heading into Indonesia.”
Championship Standings
Championship Standings- Fabio Quartararo: 8th in rider standings (149 pts)
- Álex Rins: 19th in rider standings (45 pts)
- Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP: 6th in team standings (194 pts)
- Yamaha: 5th in constructor standings (180 pts)
Team Reflections
Massimo Meregalli, Team Director, acknowledged the team’s effort:
“We knew Motegi would be tough, but both riders gave their all. Fabio managed the race well despite grip limitations, and Álex showed fight in the early laps. We’ve made progress compared to last year, and we’ll keep pushing to improve in Mandalika.”
The team also extended heartfelt congratulations to Marc Márquez and the Ducati Lenovo Team for clinching the 2025 MotoGP World Championship.
Next Stop: Indonesia
MotoGP heads to the Mandalika Circuit next weekend, October 3–5, for the Grand Prix of Indonesia. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team is ready to regroup, refocus, and chase stronger results on the island stage.