MotoGP - Despite 1st MotoGP podium since 2023: Fabio Quartararo puts brakes on euphoria after Jerez gala

Fabio Quartararo was the man of the MotoGP Saturday in Jerez . The 26-year-old Frenchman unexpectedly secured pole position with a fabulous lap – his first since the beginning of 2022 at Mandalika. It was a tremendous success for the former premier class qualifying specialist, but the celebrations only lasted a few hours. Quartararo ended up on his backside in the sprint on Saturday afternoon. Even then, he didn't mourn the missed opportunity for a rare top result – presumably also aware that the main MotoGP race was still to come on Sunday.

And at the Spanish Grand Prix, Quartararo secured the reward he deserved for an overall strong weekend. Finishing second, he was only beaten by debut winner Alex Marquez , but held off Francesco Bagnaia for 15 laps, thus returning to the Grand Prix podium after a long year and a half. Quartararo last stood there in the fall of 2023 at the Indonesian GP.

"My feelings are out of this world," 'El Diablo' beamed quite rightly in the MotoGP format 'After the Flag'. He had also ended the streak of six consecutive all-Ducati podiums; the last rider to take the podium was Pedro Acosta (KTM), who was on the podium at the 2024 Thai GP. "I'm not just happy about this podium, but about all the moments we've experienced throughout this weekend. It was incredible. First pole position, then leading the race for the first time in three years, and now the podium. I had completely forgotten what it felt like to fight with these guys; it's a fantastic feeling!"

These were Quartararo's first lead laps in a feature race since the 2022 Sachsenring. Back then, he and Yamaha were still on course for the World Championship, but over the past two and a half years, he and Yamaha had plummeted from the top of the MotoGP rankings to the lower midfield. Even top-ten results suddenly became a rarity in 2024. But this year, things finally seem to be looking up again.

"We went through difficult times with our bike, but inside our garage, we never gave up. It's always easier to go to practice when you're winning. Always giving 100 percent when you're going through a tough time is very difficult," Quartararo said, unsurprisingly, of the mentally challenging months and years. "But I never stopped giving my best. That's why I'm even more pleased with this podium," explained the man who was also named the first 'Rider of the Race' in MotoGP history after the race.

The fans paid Quartararo great respect for his impressive performance. But the big question after the Spanish GP was, of course, how was that even possible? After all, the Yamaha rider's previous Grand Prix finishes this season were 15th, 14th, 11th, and 10th. It was likely entirely down to the rider. "It was one of those weekends where you arrive and are immediately fast. I felt good right away and was able to maintain that until the end," Quartararo said, not skimping on self-praise.

There doesn't seem to have been a breakthrough for Yamaha, as the results of the other M1 riders in Jerez also show. Jack Miller was only battling near the back of the top ten before a technical problem forced him to retire, and Alex Rins , after two heavy crashes in practice, only finished 13th, even behind the crashed Marc Marquez . "We should keep our expectations low, because this is the same bike from the last few races. And we know how much trouble we had recently in Qatar," Quartararo said, putting the brakes on his euphoria. "We have to stay calm and just make the most of opportunities when they arise. We have to be prepared for the fact that results like these won't be easy to repeat."

Words that fans of the 2021 MotoGP World Champion won't like to hear or read, especially ahead of his home race at Le Mans in two weeks (May 9-11). But there is at least some cautious reason for hope. "It's a good track for me, and I think it could be a similar weekend to this one," explains Quartararo, who is consciously practicing expectation management: "I just don't want to get too euphoric. Because if I set the podium as my goal again, I'll be disappointed if we [only] finish fifth."

What do you think is possible for 'El Diablo' in front of his home fans? Will the next top result follow, or will Jerez remain a flash in the pan? Share your opinion in the comments!