Fabio Quartararo electrified the Le Mans crowd by taking pole position for the 2025 French Grand Prix at the Bugatti circuit, with a record lap of 1:29.324, beating Jorge Martin's previous record (1:29.919, 2024). This 18th MotoGP pole position, his 21st career, places "El Diablo" on par with legends Eddie Lawson and Kenny Roberts. For Yamaha, it is the 244th pole in the premier class, the 15th at Le Mans. Quartararo is ahead of Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo), 2nd at 0,118 s, and Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati), 3rd at 0,247 s, confirming his form after Jerez, where he had already beaten Marc to pole.
The crowd at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans exploded with joy this Saturday: fabio quartararo took a masterful pole for his home Grand Prix, with a record lap of 1'29.324, pulverizing the competition and confirming that El Diablo has not said his last word.
Already the author of a similar performance in Jerez, Quarterly takes his 18th pole in MotoGP (21st in his career), joining legends like Eddie Lawson et Kenny roberts on the prize list. It is also the 244th pole of Yamaha in the premier class, and the 15th on this historic track.
Behind the local hero, Marc Marquez, despite being the favorite and dominating since Friday, lost by only 0,118 seconds. The official driver Ducati will once again have to start behind the Frenchman, as in Jerez. Alex Marquez, imperial on his Ducati GP24 satellite of the team Gresini, completed the first row, 0,247 seconds behind Fabio. An explosive configuration for the race!
That home pole feeling 💫#FrenchGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/HGboMuRMAp
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 10, 2025
Fabio Quartararo: a masterclass on home soil
In fourth position, the rookie Fermin Aldeguer impresses even more, proving that he has perfectly grasped the subtleties of the GP24. He will share the second row with Maverick Vinales, best driver KTM (Tech3), and Pecco Bagnaia, only sixth, more than seven tenths behind the leader. The reigning champion still cannot adapt to the GP25, and his concern grows as the races go on.
The third line is composed of Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia), Jack Miller (Yamaha Pramac) and Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati), the latter having fallen without serious consequences. Raul fernandez, John Zarco (also the victim of a minor fall) and Peter Acosta (still weakened by his arm injury) will share the fourth line.
Among those who failed Q1: Brad Binder, Alex Rins, Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Di Giannantonio et Enea Bastianini — all far from the mark. Miguel Oliveira, Ai Ogura and the replacement Lorenzo Savadori occupy the penultimate line, while Takaaki Nakagami, wild card Honda, will close the grid.
With Quarterly on pole at Le Mans, in front of a frenzied crowd, the brothers Marquez on his heels, and bagnaia In search of redemption, the French Grand Prix promises to be explosive. What if this weekend finally marks the return of the local hero to the top? Before we know it, here's the table that summarizes the facts known so far.
|
MotoGP™ Le Mans, France |
2024 |
2025 |
| FP1 | 1'31.421 Jorge Martin (See here) | 1'30.764 Marc Marquez |
| Practice | 1'30.388 Jorge Marin (See here) | 1'29.855 Marc Marquez |
| FP2 | 1'31.033 Maverick Vinales (See here) | |
| Q1 | 1'30.233 Enea Bastianini (See here) | 1'30.399 Johann Zarco |
| Q2 | 1'29.919 Jorge Martin (See here) | 1'29.324 Fabio Quartararo |
| Sprint | Martin, Marc Marquez, Vinales (See here) | |
| Warm Up | 1'31.520 Pedro Acosta (See here) | |
| Course | Martin, Marc Marquez, Bagnaia (See here) | Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Fermin Aldeguer |
| All time lap record | 1'29.919 Jorge Martin 2024 (See here) | 1'29.324 Fabio Quartararo |
Two pole positions in a row for Quartararo and the crowd is going WILD 🎉#FrenchGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/uwR3iLDenq
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 10, 2025
Live Commentary
We're live to get the excitement going as the Sprint looms, which will see Fabio Quartararo start from pole position!!
How about a little Marseillaise? It would resonate on this beautiful Le Mans track.
Zarco will start from 11th position on the grid...but anything is possible in front of his home crowd!!
In CHAUVIN mode!!
The drivers take their positions on the grid
The tension rises under the cheers of the public who have come en masse!!
The drivers will have 13 laps to complete on this 4.1km long track.
The weather is good, it's 23° in the air and 36° on the track
For the record, this is Fabio Quartararo's 18th pole position...
We can count on MMarquez to give Quartararo a run for his money, as pole position eluded him this morning...
There's going to be some sport!!!
And that's without counting on the younger Marquez, Alex, to come and play spoilsport...!!
Warm-up lap!!!
It's off and it's MMarquez who takes the lead but Quartararo replies
Quartararo flies away... MMarquez, AMarquez, Bagnaia and Aldeguer complete the top 5
Bagnaia Falls
At 11 laps, Quaratararo has a lead of 0.642 seconds over MMarquez. AMarquez, Aldeguer, Acosta, Vinales, Binder, Zarco, Rins and Di Giannantonio complete the top10
Bezzecchi makes a mistake
MMarquez shows his teeth, he comes back to 0.259s on the Nicois
Binder Falls
The battle is announced at the front between Quartararo and MMarquez..0.091s separate the 2 drivers!!
Bastianini must give up 2 positions...
MMarquez takes the lead!!
Bastianini penalized for 'irresponsible' behavior
Binder out..
MMarquez makes the effort and digs in on Quartararo, he has a lead of 0.989s.
Quartararo is under threat from Marquez, the latter launches an attack and passes him! Fabio 3rd
It's getting heated for the 5th position between Acosta and Vinales, in this little game, Acosta leads the dance!
Aldeguer launches an offensive against Fabio and it works!
Quartararo goes into contact but in vain...he has to give up!
With 3 laps to go, the top10 consists of MMarquez, AMarquez, Aldeguer, Quartararo, Acosta, Vinales, Zarco, Rins, Di Giannantonio and Mir
Last round!!!
Acosta Fall!!
Victory for MMarquez ahead of AMarquez and Aldeguer!!
Full ranking:
Acosta crashes on the last lap....