Fresh from a Jerez podium and packing more speed, Yamaha enters the French GP with renewed optimism — and Jack Miller could be a big beneficiary

As MotoGP rolls into Le Mans for the Michelin Grand Prix de France, all eyes are on Yamaha and the debut of an important new engine specification for the factory YZR-M1. After showing signs of resurgence in Jerez with a pole position and podium from French star Fabio Quartararo, and a productive post-race test, Yamaha hopes their technical updates can sustain the team’s upward trajectory as the European leg of the season gains momentum.

Quartararo is in dazzling form

A Homecoming of High Stakes

The French Grand Prix is always a marquee weekend for Yamaha’s top rider, Fabio Quartararo. The 2021 World Champion arrives at his home round reenergised, fresh off a morale-boosting second-place finish in Jerez and a strong run in the IRTA test that followed. With Yamaha debuting a new engine spec first trialled in Jerez, expectations are cautiously optimistic.

‘What are you doing here?’ – Thanks to Quartararo, the Jerez podium was no longer a Ducati-only zone

“I am so happy to have done a pole and a second place in Jerez before this round. Le Mans is very special to me: it’s my home GP, and there will be many fans cheering for me,” said Quartararo. “The positive results during the race weekend and also at the Jerez Test were a nice boost for the team, and I am interested to see how the new engine spec performs in Le Mans.”

Quartararo, who currently sits 6th in the standings, knows home advantage alone won’t deliver results. But with tangible speed gains emerging during recent sessions, there’s hope that early-season struggles may soon be in the past.

Yamaha goes to Le Mans with positive momentum after a jubilant return to the podium

New Engine, New Opportunities

The highlight of Yamaha’s latest technical efforts is a new engine specification aimed at addressing long-standing acceleration and torque issues. Tried initially during the post-race IRTA test in Jerez, the updated engine debuts in full race conditions this weekend at Le Mans.

Speed metrics suggest that Yamaha may finally be closing the gap, with Fabio Quartararo’s data showing notable improvement between the Spanish Grand Prix and the Jerez Test, with the new engine specification. During the Spanish GP, Quartararo reached a maximum top speed of 291.1 km/h and maintained that across repeated runs, with a consistent lower range around 290.3 km/h. In contrast, during the Jerez Test, where Yamaha debuted their updated engine spec, Quartararo’s top speed increased to 296.7 km/h, with a tighter and higher average hovering around 294.7 km/h.

This upward trend in speed underlines the potential effectiveness of Yamaha’s engine development and raises optimism for improved competitiveness at Le Mans — a circuit that rewards acceleration and rear-end traction.

“We made a positive step during last week’s Jerez Test… We are also riding with the new engine spec that we first tried during the IRTA test, so this GP will be very important for gathering data,” said Rins. “Like in Jerez, the atmosphere in Le Mans is always good because the fans are passionate, so this gives us riders a nice boost.”

Team director Massimo Meregalli underscored the weekend’s significance: “Our first main goal is to have both riders in Q2… After the French GP, our team will have a private Misano test where we will further home in on bike development.”

Miller has had some strong results at the Le Mans layout and is hoping to capitalise on the new engine spec t0 get back near the sharp end

Pramac Yamaha Looks for Lift-Off

For satellite team Prima Pramac Yamaha, the French GP marks both a return and a reset. Miguel Oliveira is back after missing three rounds due to injury, and Jack Miller is eyeing redemption on a circuit that suits his style. Both riders will use Yamaha’s latest updates, including the engine spec.

Earlier this year Miller urged Yamaha to ‘squeeze’ more out of their inline-four, and now he’s looking forward to sampling the fruits of that development in France. “I‘m really looking forward to Le Mans—it‘s one of my favorite tracks on the calendar. The atmosphere is amazing, and the French fans are some of the best we get all season. The track itself suits my riding style, and I‘ve had good results there in the past. Even though Jerez didn’t go our way, the Yamaha showed it has potential,” said Miller. “The test gave us some new tools to work with, and this circuit has always played to the strengths of the M1.”

Behind Miller in the championship standings, Rins finds himself under renewed pressure to perform given his teammate’s recent results

A Technical Litmus Test

The 4.2km Bugatti Circuit demands strong braking performance, controlled acceleration, and consistent rear grip—all areas Yamaha has prioritised in development. With top speed improvements evident and a promising new setup under their belts, the weekend will serve as a key proving ground for Yamaha’s 2025 campaign.

If the new engine lives up to expectations, Le Mans may mark not just Quartararo’s resurgence, but a pivotal turning point in Yamaha’s return to competitiveness.