Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Push On in Blistering Hot Buriram Race
The Grand Prix of Thailand in sweltering heat proved a tricky season opener for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed the 26-lap MotoGP Race in 14th and 15th place respectively.
GRAND PRIX OF THAILAND
RACE
Buriram (Thailand), 1st March 2026
14th
F. Quartararo +30.823 / 26 LAPS
15th
Á. Rins +32.955 / 26 LAPS
The incredibly hot 26-lap Grand Prix of Thailand MotoGP Race was a tough outing, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins persevered and found themselves in P14 and P15 at the chequered flag.
Quartararo launched from P16 and made up a position on the opening lap. Unable to make further inroads, he came under pressure from Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini and dropped to 17th place on lap 10. With three late DNFs for rivals, El Diablo ultimately held 14th position over the finish line.
Rins started from P18 and completed lap 1 in P16 behind Quartararo. He mainly rode amongst his fellow Yamaha riders during the 26-lap contest and was in P18 when he too benefitted from some late misfortunes of rivals. He held 15th place at the chequered flag.
Today's race results put Quartararo in 16th place in the championship standings with 2 points. Rins is in 17th place with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 9th position in the team classifications with 3 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 2 points.
The team will enjoy two weeks off before travelling to Brazil for Round 2, held at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna from 20-22 March.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
"As expected, today's Race was hugely challenging for us. The heat and humidity made the 26 laps a real test of endurance and an important benchmark for this brand new project. It's still early on in the timeline, but we are getting to know the bike better lap by lap, learning about every aspect. On top of this, this type of circuit and the construction of the tyres usually assigned to us in very hot conditions made everything more difficult. There's not much more to say right now except that we will study all the data we were able to gather this weekend to see if we can prepare a bit better for the next GP."
FABIO QUARTARARO Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
"It was a tough race, but a bit of what we expected. Hopefully in Brazil we will feel better with the bike."
ÁLEX RINS Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
"It was a really tough race, and it was very difficult to manage the tyres. I gave my 100% on every lap. We leave Thailand after preseason testing and the race weekend with some good conclusions. Let's keep going, and let's keep growing this project, and I'm looking forward to Brazil."
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director