The fourth round of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship takes place this weekend at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. The Prima Yamaha MotoGP Team, riding high on a strong performance at the Americas GP, is aiming to continue its upward trajectory. The team fields Jack Miller and Augusto Fernández, with Yamaha test rider Fernández once again stepping in for the injured Miguel Oliveira.
Momentum from Austin Carries Into the Desert
In Austin, Miller claimed his best result of the season so far with a fifth-place finish—the highest among Yamaha riders—while Fernández also put in a solid performance to finish 13th. The night race at Lusail will mark Miller’s 13th MotoGP appearance at the circuit, where he has fond memories of a victory in the Moto3 class back in 2014. Fernández has raced at the Qatari circuit six times before, achieving a fourth-place finish in Moto2 in 2022.
Lusail is known for its flowing medium- to high-speed corners and relatively few heavy braking zones. According to Brembo, the braking difficulty ranks at 3 out of 6, making it a circuit where the Yamaha YZR-M1’s strengths could come to the fore.
Team Status and Standings
In the current championship standings, Miller sits 10th overall with 19 points, while Fernández is in 20th with 3 points. Yamaha holds fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship with 28 points, while Prima Yamaha is 10th in the Teams’ standings with 24 points.
Team Director Gino Borsoi:
“Our goal is to maintain the balance we found in Austin and take another step forward. Lusail’s layout should allow us to maximize the YZR-M1’s strengths. By the end of Friday night’s practice, we’ll have a good idea of who’s on pace for direct Q2 entry, which will be key. Jack is pushing the bike to its limit, and Augusto is building confidence with each outing. While we miss Miguel, we’re fully committed to supporting Augusto’s growth in his place.”
Jack Miller:
“I think Qatar is a track that really suits Yamaha. Lots of long corners and just one long straight. We made real progress in Austin, and I want to keep that going. Having plenty of dry track time over the weekend will be crucial—not just for results, but for development. The team’s motivation is high, and we’re ready to push forward.”
Augusto Fernández:
“First of all, I want to send my best wishes to Miguel for a speedy recovery. I hope to see him back soon. I’m grateful for another chance to ride the YZR-M1 and deepen my connection with the team. I was happy with my performance in Austin, and since Lusail is one of my favorite tracks, I’ll be giving it everything to achieve an even better result.”
(Photo courtesy of Yamaha)