Jack Miller backed up Fabio Quartararo’s kind by making it two Yamahas inside the highest six throughout Friday follow for the French MotoGP at Le Mans.
The previous French GP winner secured a direct place in Qualifying 2 for the primary time for the reason that COTA, additionally the scene of his most final factors end, after benefitting from each a productive Jerez take a look at and the most recent M1 upgrades.
The Australian lapped 0.422s from pacesetter Marc Marquez, however solely 0.245s adrift of second-fastest Fabio Quartararo.
Extra considerably, Miller’s race tempo was persistently robust within the mid 1m31s vary, probably placing him within the combine for Saturday’s Dash and Sunday’s most important occasion.
“It has been an excellent day, as it’s at all times constructive whenever you handle to move on to Q2,” Miller mentioned. “I felt good from the very early laps this morning.
“The take a look at in Jerez was actually what we wanted to shakedown the bike and check out just a few various things in a special format than Malaysia and Thailand.
“The Jerez take a look at couldn’t have been coming at a greater time – properly, a few days earlier than would have really been higher! – however I’m pleased with the steps we made.
“I’m pleased with the bike, we’re constructing and getting an excellent feeling, which right here in Le Mans might be tough generally.”
Somewhat than reaching his restrict, Miller pointed to a couple key corners the place there’s extra time to be discovered.
“I’m glad with my quick laps, but in addition the tempo was not dangerous in any respect, already from the tip of FP1. However I really feel there are nonetheless some areas on the monitor that I can enhance, like turns 9 and 10 the place I don’t really feel wonderful. And likewise within the final sector I do know I can enhance extra.”
“Yamaha is on an upward path”
After Quartararo’s pole and podium at Jerez, Pramac group director Gino Borsoi mentioned day one at Le Mans supplied additional proof of Yamaha’s “upward path”.
“It was positively an excellent Friday, not simply due to Jack’s place, but in addition the tempo he confirmed from the beginning. After all, there’s nonetheless numerous work forward, but it surely’s one of the best ways to kick off the weekend,” he mentioned.
“Quartararo’s efficiency additionally reveals that Yamaha is on an upward path, and the updates we examined in Jerez, together with the brand new engine, are beginning to repay.”
Miguel Oliveira, 2025 French MotoGP
Whereas Miller and Quartararo featured on the sharp finish, team-mate Miguel Oliveira made his return to MotoGP motion after a protracted harm absence.
The Portuguese rider completed twenty first general with a time of 1m32.325s.
“I used to be relieved after my first runs, and that is simply the suitable alternative of phrases, since you by no means know the way you’ll really feel and nonetheless doubt if it is possible for you to to trip the bike after such a very long time,” mentioned Oliveira.
“I missed numerous method and obtained drained tremendous rapidly, as a result of I’m making numerous effort to attempt to do all I’ve to do. However it’s what it’s, that is weekend zero for me and I’m simply beginning to get my really feel again with the bike.”
