Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Enjoy First-Ever Sprint Battle in Brazil

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP had to be patient for the start of today's Grand Prix of Brazil Sprint, but once the 15-lap contest got underway, Fabio Quartararo was pushing to the limit, riding to an encouraging P6 finish. Álex Rins also kept his head down during the Sprint and made use of a last-lap flurry of activity just ahead of him to snatch P13 at the finish line.

GRAND PRIX OF BRAZIL

SPRINT

Goiânia (Brazil), 21st March 2026

6th

F. Quartararo
+7.728 / 15 LAPS

13th

Á. Rins
+15.090 / 15 LAPS

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo enjoyed the first Sprint at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna. After a strong opening lap, he fought tooth and nail to bring home P6. Álex Rins was fighting in the mid-pack and wrapped up the 15-lap dash in 13th position.

The start of the Sprint was delayed by about 80 minutes due to track conditions. Once it was lights out, Quartararo launched from P4 and overtook two riders in the opening lap to close it in second place. The Frenchman later lost some positions to the train of riders that he had skilfully kept behind him in the early stages. He managed to fend off Ai Ogura and hold on to fifth place until the start of lap 9. Nevertheless, El Diablo kept at it, not allowing any other rivals to come closer, and relentlessly pushed to P6 at the chequered flag, finishing 7.728s from first.

Rins commenced the Sprint from P17 and soon got up to P15. The Spaniard was at the back of a group of riders fighting for 12th place. With Johann Zarco crashing on lap 8, the number 42 moved up to 14th place until a duel with Fermín Aldeguer in lap 13 relegated the Yamaha man back to P15. However, a Rins was in the right place at the right time on the final lap to move back up to P13 before crossing the finish line, 15.090s from the winner.

Today’s Sprint results put Quartaro in 11th place in the championship standings with 6 points. Rins is in 18th with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 8th position in the team classifications, with 7 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 6 points.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will be back in action tomorrow for Warm Up, held from 10:40-10:50 (GMT-3), and the 31-lap Race, which starts at 15:00.

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MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

"It was a tricky Sprint, also considering the long wait. We're happy for the fans that in the end we were able to race this afternoon and reward their patience with a good show. Our riders did well to keep the focus whilst waiting and to pounce when needed. Fabio had a superb start and opening lap, making the most of his strong P4 qualifying result. Our pace is not at the level needed to fight at the front just yet, but compared to the first round, finishing in P6 is already a huge step forward and encouraging for the team and Yamaha. Álex found himself further down the grid in P17. He had the pace, but was not able to overtake Binder, which held back his progress during the Sprint. But he managed the situation and profited on the last lap to finish in P13."

FABIO QUARTARARO
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

"I'm satisfied with what we did today. This morning, we profited from some crashes by other riders in qualifying, and we could make a good lap, so we're in P4 on the grid. I especially enjoyed the beginning of the Sprint race. I just wanted to push and stay with the front guys. We know we don't have the potential yet to stay with them, but I still enjoyed these moments. Enjoying racing is the most important thing, and from there we just take it step by step by making the most of what we have. Today, we had the opportunity to be on the second row and take points in the Sprint. We're giving our maximum – always giving 100% is the goal of this year."

ÁLEX RINS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

"It was not bad. I got stuck behind some riders. I was just trying to do my race and see if I had the chance to overtake or not. It was a positive Sprint race, but quite demanding. We finished with the front tyre on the limit. For tomorrow, we will need to see which tyres we'll choose. I like this track, though. It flows well, so that suits me well, and the grip is super nice."