The 2025 Valencia MotoGP warm-up session just delivered a thrilling preview of what promises to be an unforgettable season finale. But here's where it gets controversial: Fabio Quartararo, riding the Yamaha Inline M1 in its final outing before the anticipated V4 takeover in 2026, topped the timesheets with a commanding performance. Is this a nostalgic farewell or a bold statement from Yamaha? You decide.
The session wasn’t short on drama, as Jack Miller, still seething from yesterday’s Sprint penalty after a clash with Fermin Aldeguer, briefly led the pack halfway through the ten-minute session. And this is the part most people miss: Miller’s aggression wasn’t just about pride—it was a strategic move to assert dominance before the race. But Aldeguer’s teammate, Sprint winner Alex Marquez, riding a stunning silver livery, quickly reclaimed the top spot before Quartararo’s final push sealed the deal.
Tyre selection remains a hot topic for this afternoon’s race. Michelin predicts riders will opt for a hard front and medium rear compound, but this morning’s session saw most favoring a soft front and medium rear. What’s the smarter choice? Could this be the deciding factor in today’s race? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While the top three championship spots are locked in—Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, and Marco Bezzecchi—the battle for fourth is heating up. Sprint runner-up Pedro Acosta enters the race with a six-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia. Meanwhile, Honda faces a critical challenge: they need at least nine constructors’ points to move from D to C concession ranking. That means a top-seven finish is a must. Can they pull it off?
Here’s the full warm-up results breakdown:
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff | Lap | Max |
|-----|------------------|-----|--------------------------------|-----------|-----|------|
| 1 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'30.111s | 5/6 | 327k |
| 2 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP24) | +0.114s | 4/7 | 331k |
| 3 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP25) | +0.132s | 4/7 | 329k |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
*Rookie
Official Valencia MotoGP Records:
- Best lap: Maverick Vinales, Aprilia, 1m 28.931s (2023)
- Fastest race lap: Brad Binder, KTM, 1m 30.145s (2023)
Outgoing champion Jorge Martin returns after his collarbone fracture in Japan, marking only his eighth race in an injury-plagued season. He’ll serve a double long-lap penalty for the Motegi Sprint incident with teammate Marco Bezzecchi. Joan Mir also faces a single long-lap penalty for taking out HRC teammate Luca Marini during the Sprint.
Maverick Vinales makes his comeback with Tech3 KTM after mid-season shoulder surgery, while Raul Fernandez returns from a partial shoulder dislocation at Portimao. Aleix Espargaro joins as a wild-card for Honda, and Double WorldSBK title runner-up Nicolo Bulega steps in for the injured Marc Marquez at Ducati.
Augusto Fernandez makes his third wild-card appearance with Yamaha’s V4 prototype, featuring a new chassis but the same engine as Sepang. Looking ahead, Tuesday’s post-race test will see rookies Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira join their 2026 rivals on track.
Thought-provoking question: With the Inline M1’s final race and the V4’s looming debut, is Yamaha making the right move, or are they risking their legacy? Share your opinions below—we want to hear from you!
