MotoGP 2025: Quartararo Shocks Marquez to Claim Pole at Spanish GP Qualifying
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Synopsis
Fabio Quartararo clinched pole position at the Spanish GP, surpassing Marc Marquez in a dramatic qualifying session at the Circuito de Jerez. Quartararo's remarkable lap time of 1:35.610 stunned the audience and marked his first pole since 2022, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Fabio Quartararo secures pole position.
- Marc Marquez was edged out in a thrilling finish.
- Lap record at Jerez was broken twice.
- Marquez maintains a lead in the championship standings.
- Competitive atmosphere ahead of the sprint and main race.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), April 26 (NationPress) - Fabio Quartararo from France made a spectacular return to the MotoGP arena, capturing pole position away from a fierce Marc Marquez in a thrilling conclusion to the qualifying session at the Spanish Grand Prix held at the Circuito de Jerez on Saturday. This qualifying round witnessed the lap record being broken not just once, but twice, as Quartararo's remarkable last-minute effort left the home fans in stunned silence.
Marquez, a six-time MotoGP World Champion and a favorite amongst the local crowd, appeared set to secure his fifth consecutive pole. His initial time of 1:35.643 seemed unbeatable as he pushed his Ducati to its limits.
However, in the final moments of the second qualifying round (Q2), Quartararo — eager to prove himself after a challenging couple of seasons — delivered an impeccable lap of 1:35.610, clinching his first pole position since 2022 by the narrowest of margins.
“It’s a truly special feeling, a unique emotion for everyone,” Quartararo expressed post-qualifying. “We understand that the points are awarded in the sprint and the main race, but just to feel this atmosphere among all these competitors is remarkable. I hope we can engage in an exciting battle tonight during the sprint. The main race will be more challenging, but I’m incredibly happy to be here. We’re putting in the effort — and it will pay off,” Quartararo added.
Marquez currently leads the championship standings by 17 points over his younger brother, Alex Marquez of Gresini Ducati, who qualified an impressive fourth. Franco Morbidelli of VR46 Racing secured fifth place, intensifying the competition ahead of a significant sprint later that evening. Quartararo aims to leverage his pole position in Sunday’s main race to make the championship race even more engaging.
While he missed out on pole, Marquez remains focused on the overall championship picture. A win in the sprint could further solidify his lead over Alex and widen the gap to the reigning world champion, Francesco Bagnaia, who trails by 26 points. Quartararo is currently in 8th place in the standings with 30 points.
