Fabio Quartararo produced a sensational performance to claim pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, securing Yamaha’s first top spot on the grid since 2022. The Frenchman clocked a blistering 1’35.610 lap time, setting a new track record and halting Marc Márquez’s run of consecutive poles dating back to the opening round of the season.
The 2021 world champion, who had not started from pole since the Indonesian Grand Prix nearly three years ago, will line up alongside the factory Ducatis of Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia. Márquez missed out on top spot by just 0.033 seconds, with Bagnaia 0.145 seconds adrift despite recovering from a heavy crash during Friday’s FP2 session that forced him to switch to his second bike for qualifying.
The qualifying session was not without controversy: both Marc and Alex Márquez were fined €2,000 after leaving the pit lane moments before the green light was displayed. Alex Márquez also had his first Q2 lap time deleted, although the penalty did not affect his starting position. The Gresini Ducati rider will begin from the second row, joined by VR46 Ducati’s Franco Morbidelli and KTM Tech3’s Maverick Viñales, who impressed after progressing through Q1.
Quartararo’s return to the front marks a significant moment for both the rider and Yamaha after a prolonged period of struggle. While his race pace remains a question ahead of the sprint and main race, his pole position reignites hope for the Iwata-based manufacturer.
Behind the leading trio, Alex Márquez narrowly missed out on a front-row start by just three-thousandths of a second, while Morbidelli and Viñales completed a competitive second row. Third-row starters include Fermin Aldeguer for KTM Tech3, Fabio Di Giannantonio for VR46, and Joan Mir for Honda, while the fourth row features Johann Zarco (LCR Honda), Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia), and rising star Pedro Acosta (KTM).
Among the other Italians, Luca Marini will start 16th on the factory Honda, while Enea Bastianini lines up 18th for KTM Tech3. Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) endured a tough qualifying and will start from the penultimate position ahead of Alex Rins, who anchors the grid after a crash-marred FP2 session.
The Sprint Race and Sunday’s Grand Prix promise thrilling battles as Quartararo seeks to convert his surprise pole into a long-awaited victory.
