Fabio Quartararo crashed during the final laps of the Assen MotoGP Sprint due to a ‘critical mistake’ which he admits added to Yamaha struggles, ruining his chances for a podium finish.
The Dutch TT saw the 2021 MotoGP world champion secure an impressive pole position, underlining his raw speed and determination despite Yamaha’s ongoing struggles.
However, the Assen MotoGP Sprint race would ultimately end in disappointment with Fabio Quartararo crashing out while fighting for a podium, an incident emblematic of the wider issues that have plagued Yamaha throughout the season.
Quartararo’s weekend began on a high note as he clinched his fourth pole position of the 2025 season, his 20th with Yamaha, demonstrating that when conditions are right he remains one of the fastest riders on the grid.
The Frenchman’s qualifying performance was a testament to his ability to extract the maximum from the Yamaha YZR-M1 in single-lap scenarios, a trait that has kept him competitive even as the team struggles to match the pace of its rivals over race distance.
At the start of the Sprint, Quartararo capitalized on his pole, grabbing the holeshot and fending off a hard-charging Marc Marquez.
For a brief moment, it appeared that he might be able to convert his qualifying speed into a much-needed podium finish for Yamaha. However, the race quickly became a battle for survival rather than glory.
After a minor wobble at the final chicane on the opening lap, Quartararo lost momentum allowing the Marquez brothers—Marc and Alex—through. He later found himself shuffled back to fourth despite his best efforts to stay within striking distance and defend against the advances of Marco Bezzecchi.
The intensity of the competition triggered Quartararo to push to the absolute limit on every lap – a necessity given the Yamaha’s current performance deficit compared to the Ducati machines – which resulted to a crash at Turn 10 with just four laps remaining, ending his podium bid.
Speaking after the race, Quartararo explained that a critical mistake made on Friday contributed to the incident.
“We made a mistake on Friday and we had to start with a used front [tyre],“ Quartararo candidly admitted. “Pushing to the extreme limit all the laps [means] that we make mistakes and we crash, but this is what happens when you are at 100 percent every single corner.
“Like always, if you make your lap time alone, it’s okay, but in the race, when they can use all the power and all the grip that they have, we cannot really make our lines and we always have to think about the people behind.
“We knew that on pure pace we were good, but we know that Marc [Marquez], Alex [Marquez] were a little bit stronger in some areas. When the conditions change a bit we are still struggling.
“We are working to try to understand the situation and try to see what we can achieve, because making your pace alone is one thing, but in the race it’s another story. This is why they are much better than us.”
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Assen MotoGP 2025 Sprint Results: Marquez brothers snag 1-2 victory
Assen MotoGP 2025 qualifying results: Quartararo takes pole
The technical deficiencies of the Yamaha YZR-M1 have been well documented throughout the 2025 season. Quartararo and his team have struggled with a lack of grip, unpredictable handling, and issues with both front and rear tyre performance.
These problems have not only hindered their ability to fight for victories but have also led to a series of crashes and retirements.
Earlier in the season, Quartararo pointed to persistent vibration at the rear, front-end locking, and a general lack of grip makes the bike increasingly unpredictable over longer stints.
