Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Start 2026 Campaign in Thailand

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins kicked off the 2026 MotoGP season at the Buriram track today. Rain and thunder clouds plagued the afternoon Practice session. Fabio Quartararo completed the first day back in action in P16. Álex Rins ended the Friday in P20.

GRAND PRIX OF THAILAND

PRACTICE

Buriram (Thailand), 27th February 2026

16th

F. Quartararo
1'29.884 / 23 LAPS

20th

Á. Rins
1'30.302 / 25 LAPS

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team started the 2026 MotoGP championship today, gathering useful data in various track conditions. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins finished the Practice in 16th and 20th place respectively. They will take part in tomorrow's Q1.

Quartararo had completed FP1 in P18. The Frenchman put in diligent work in mixed conditions during the afternoon session. He climbed as high as 13th place after a 1'29.884s set on lap 15/23. With some rivals improving in the final stages, El Diablo ended the session in P16.

Rins had finished FP1 in 13th place with a 1'30.268s, but the Spaniard struggled to reproduce the lap time in the mixed afternoon session. The number-42 rider set a 1'30.302s, posted on lap 25/25. It had him rank 20th in the Practice classifications.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will be back in action tomorrow for the Saturday MotoGP sessions: FP2 will be held from 10:10-10:40 GMT+7, followed by the qualifying sessions from 10:50-11:30, and the 13-lap Sprint that starts at 15:00.

Image gallery

FABIO QUARTARARO
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

"Today, the conditions were a bit strange. We decided to start riding with new tyres quite early on in the Practice because it was rainy and windy, and we wanted to get a hot lap in. Because of this, at the end of the session, we didn't have any new tyres left. We are trying to find the direction, and I gave it my best with my team."

ÁLEX RINS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

"This morning, I was feeling quite good with the medium rear tyre. I was able to do the same lap times as I did in the test. I was in the flow. But this afternoon I couldn't achieve the same lap time as this morning. We put in 2-3 soft tyres and, in the end, I set my best time with twelve laps on the front tyre and five on the rear. We need to understand why. Tomorrow, we have another opportunity. It will be our first Sprint with the new bike – let's see."

Best shots

Image gallery

PRACTICE RESULTS

27/02/2026

If you are unable to view the contents of this email correctly, Click here to view it in your browser.

You have been sent this email as a registered contact of yamahamotogp.com.

If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you can unsubscribe from this list.