Miguel Oliveira has made a steady start to the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, finishing the opening free practice session in P10 as he continues to adapt to life with Pramac Yamaha. For the Portuguese rider, who has endured a difficult first season with the new Yamaha satellite project, the result marked a small but significant step forward at the manufacturer’s home race.

Oliveira’s journey into 2025 has been defined by change, challenges, and resilience. After leaving Aprilia at the end of 2024 in a surprise move, he joined Pramac Racing — now operating as Yamaha’s official satellite squad — with the goal of helping to shape the future of Yamaha’s MotoGP project. But the task has been anything but simple. Yamaha’s switch to a V4 engine concept brought high expectations, yet early development has been riddled with inconsistencies. Despite these hurdles, Oliveira’s performance in FP1 at Motegi suggests progress is finally taking hold.

A Positive Start in Japan

The Twin Ring Motegi circuit, with its stop-and-go layout of heavy braking zones and acceleration-focused straights, is not traditionally one of Yamaha’s strongest tracks. Yet Oliveira managed to find confidence early, slotting into the top 10 during Friday morning’s session. While he was still a few tenths behind the leading Ducatis and KTMs, finishing in P10 gave him a vital platform to build on for the remainder of the weekend.

For Oliveira, who has often battled outside the top 12 this season, being in the top 10 at Yamaha’s home round carries symbolic importance. After practice, he pointed to improvements in braking stability and corner entry, two areas that Yamaha has specifically targeted in its V4 project. Though top speed remains a weakness — particularly down Motegi’s long back straight — Oliveira’s consistency over multiple laps hinted at a rider growing more comfortable with the RS-GP-derived Yamaha package.

Yamaha Under Pressure at Home

The Japanese Grand Prix is always a defining moment for Yamaha, and this year the stakes feel even higher. The transition from their iconic Inline-4 engine to a V4 configuration has been one of the boldest technical shifts in the brand’s history. The philosophy behind the change was simple: Yamaha needed to close the gap to Ducati and KTM in straight-line performance, while maintaining its trademark cornering ability.

Yet in 2025, the results have been mixed. Fabio Quartararo has openly criticized the lack of grip and electronic refinement, while Oliveira has spoken about the steep learning curve of adapting to a bike that is still in its infancy. Fans in Japan, however, expect results — especially at Motegi, where Yamaha has a proud history of victories.

Oliveira’s early pace in FP1, therefore, is more than just a time sheet statistic. It represents hope that Yamaha’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit, and that their satellite rider can play a role in bringing the project closer to competitiveness. For Oliveira, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm his value as part of Yamaha’s long-term future, even if rumors swirl that his stay beyond 2025 may not be guaranteed.

Oliveira’s Journey to Motegi

Oliveira’s career has been defined by perseverance. He made his MotoGP debut in 2019 with Tech3 KTM and quickly earned a reputation as a clever and tactical racer. His surprise victories at Spielberg in 2020 and Barcelona in 2021 showcased his ability to capitalize on opportunities, while his smooth, calculated riding style made him a reliable contender in tricky conditions.

The move to Aprilia in 2023 was meant to elevate him further, but injuries and inconsistency plagued his two seasons with the Noale factory. When Pramac Yamaha came calling in late 2024, Oliveira saw it as both a risk and an opportunity — a chance to be part of a new era for Yamaha while stepping into a team with proven pedigree from its Ducati years.

The reality has been challenging. Unlike Ducati’s turnkey competitiveness, Yamaha’s V4 package is still being built piece by piece. Oliveira has often been tasked with testing new updates during race weekends, which has sometimes left him outside the fight for points. Yet through it all, he has maintained his professionalism and determination, making P10 at Motegi feel like a small victory in itself.

Strengths at the Twin Ring

Motegi’s layout plays into some of Oliveira’s natural strengths as a rider. Known for his late-braking ability and composure under pressure, he thrives on circuits that demand precision and rhythm. The heavy braking zones into Turns 5, 10, and 11 require absolute confidence in the bike’s stability, something Oliveira noted felt improved in Friday practice.

His riding style also allows him to conserve tire life, an advantage that could become crucial later in the weekend. If Yamaha can give him a stable platform, Oliveira has the race craft to make up positions and defend strongly against faster machines. While a podium may be an ambitious target, a top-10 finish in Sunday’s main race is now a realistic goal.

The Bigger Picture

For Oliveira, Motegi is about more than just one weekend. It is about proving to Yamaha that he can be a valuable asset as the V4 project continues to evolve. At the same time, it is also about showcasing to the wider paddock that he remains a competitive MotoGP rider capable of delivering results when given the tools.

Rumors have linked him to potential opportunities elsewhere in 2026, especially with several contracts set to expire across the grid. Whether he stays with Yamaha or looks for a new challenge, Oliveira knows that consistent performances — like starting with a top-10 in FP1 — are essential to securing his future.

What Comes Next

Looking ahead to the rest of the Motegi weekend, Oliveira’s immediate target will be to secure direct entry into Q2 during Saturday’s FP2 session. Qualifying inside the top 10 would put him in a strong position to fight for solid points in both the sprint and the main race.

Beyond Motegi, the final stretch of the 2025 season offers Oliveira several opportunities to build momentum. Circuits like Sepang and Valencia, where Yamaha’s handling strengths can shine, could provide further chances for him to demonstrate progress. Each round between now and the season finale will be crucial in shaping not only his results but also his long-term trajectory in MotoGP.

Conclusion

Miguel Oliveira’s P10 in FP1 at Motegi may not dominate headlines in a weekend that also features title battles and Marc Marquez’s historic comeback story, but for the Portuguese rider it represents something deeper. It is a symbol of resilience, adaptation, and hope. Amid a difficult season of transition with Pramac Yamaha, Oliveira has shown that step by step, progress is possible.

With Yamaha racing in front of its home fans, Oliveira’s early performance is a boost for the team and a reminder of his determination to fight on, no matter the circumstances. Whether he remains part of Yamaha’s long-term future or not, Motegi offers him a chance to remind the MotoGP world of the talent that once made him one of the most exciting prospects on the grid.

As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Oliveira can turn this solid start into a strong finish — and perhaps take another step toward rewriting his MotoGP story.