Miguel Oliveira endured another challenging weekend in the 2025 MotoGP season, finishing 14th at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi. The Portuguese rider, who now competes with Pramac Racing as Yamaha’s satellite rider, had to dig deep to salvage points from a race dominated by tire wear and grip limitations. Despite the difficulties, Oliveira’s determination earned him two valuable points, proving once again that persistence is crucial in a highly competitive MotoGP grid.

Tire Management Becomes the Defining Challenge

Motegi’s stop-and-go layout is notorious for testing tire durability, particularly under the intense braking zones and hard acceleration zones that punish both front and rear compounds. For Oliveira, this reality shaped his entire race.

“I pushed as hard as I could in what turned out to be a very tough race, especially with the tire management, both front and rear, with the rear dropping off quite a lot,” Oliveira admitted after the race. “Corner exits were particularly challenging. Still, I managed to bring home two points, and that’s the positive I’ll take away from this weekend.”

His comments underline the technical challenges that Yamaha machinery has faced all season. While the Pramac Yamaha package offers improvements in stability and handling compared to previous years, it still lacks the explosive acceleration of the Ducati or the consistent race pace of Aprilia and KTM. As a result, Oliveira found himself struggling to defend against rivals as his rear grip deteriorated in the latter stages of the race.

A Battle to Stay Inside the Points

The Japanese GP saw Oliveira fighting in the midfield pack, battling riders from Honda, KTM, and independent Ducati outfits. For much of the race, he hovered around the edge of the points, defending against faster bikes in straight-line speed but relying on his cornering precision to regain lost ground.

His main struggle came at the corner exits, where Yamaha’s lack of traction out of slow turns left him vulnerable to overtakes. Still, Oliveira’s racecraft allowed him to remain composed, balancing tire conservation with the need to attack when opportunities presented themselves. In the end, his persistence paid off with 14th place, ensuring he left Motegi with something to show for his efforts.

The Broader Context: A Season of Adaptation

Oliveira’s first season with Pramac Racing Yamaha has been a period of adjustment. Transitioning from KTM machinery, which emphasized aggressive corner entry and braking stability, to the Yamaha M1’s smoother but less powerful characteristics has required significant adaptation in his riding style.

The Portuguese rider has been candid about the challenges, often highlighting the lack of acceleration and the limited ability to defend positions on long straights. However, he has also praised Yamaha for their efforts to bring updates, particularly in aerodynamics and chassis balance, even if the improvements have yet to translate into consistent top-10 results.

Motegi Highlights Yamaha’s Remaining Weaknesses

Motegi served as another reminder of where Yamaha still needs to improve. While the bike handles well in flowing sections and remains relatively kind on the front tire, the lack of acceleration and top-end power creates major issues in circuits like Motegi, where stop-and-go characteristics expose the M1’s limitations.

For Oliveira, these weaknesses meant that every lap was a fight to maintain traction. The drop-off in the rear tire forced him to adjust his riding, easing throttle application and sacrificing exit speed to avoid spinning up too much. This defensive style inevitably cost him time, but it was the only way to reach the finish without excessive tire degradation.

The Psychological Battle: Finding Positives in a Tough Year

While a 14th-place finish is far from Oliveira’s ambitions, his outlook remains pragmatic. Salvaging points in difficult races keeps morale intact, especially in a season where podiums seem out of reach.

“Still, I managed to bring home two points, and that’s the positive I’ll take away from this weekend,” he said, emphasizing the importance of incremental progress. For a rider of Oliveira’s caliber—who has multiple MotoGP victories to his name—the current struggles are undoubtedly frustrating, but his professionalism and persistence shine through.

Teammate Comparisons and Pramac’s Position

As part of Pramac Racing, Oliveira’s performances are constantly compared with his teammate, who has also faced similar struggles adapting Yamaha’s package to race conditions. Both riders have highlighted the need for better acceleration and grip, making it clear that Pramac’s role is not only to compete but also to provide Yamaha with crucial feedback for development.

The Japanese GP once again reinforced that Pramac and factory Yamaha riders are in a rebuilding phase rather than in direct contention for podiums. Nonetheless, Oliveira’s consistency in scoring points, even in tough conditions, contributes to Yamaha’s broader mission of regaining competitiveness.

Eyes Toward Indonesia: A Better Opportunity?

The MotoGP calendar now shifts to the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika, where Oliveira sees a chance to perform better. The Mandalika track, with its smoother layout and more flowing corners, could play to Yamaha’s strengths, particularly if track grip levels are favorable.

Cornering stability and high-speed flow remain areas where the Yamaha can shine, giving Oliveira and his team some optimism ahead of the next round. Still, tire management will once again be crucial, and Oliveira knows that to climb further up the order, he will need both improved conditions and flawless execution.

Long-Term Focus: Development and Valencia Test

Like other Yamaha riders, Oliveira has also pointed toward the Valencia post-season test as a decisive moment. Yamaha is expected to bring significant upgrades, including potential engine refinements and aerodynamic developments. Oliveira’s feedback as a seasoned race winner will play a vital role in shaping the future of Yamaha’s satellite program.

The Portuguese rider remains motivated by the long-term project, even if the short-term results are not yet rewarding. His ability to adapt, provide technical feedback, and fight for points under difficult conditions demonstrates his value to both Pramac and Yamaha’s wider MotoGP ambitions.

Conclusion

Miguel Oliveira’s P14 finish at Motegi may not make headlines, but it reflects the reality of Yamaha’s current situation and the resilience required to compete in MotoGP’s modern era. Struggling with corner exits, tire degradation, and a lack of acceleration, Oliveira fought hard to secure two points, a testament to his determination and professionalism.

As the season continues, Oliveira remains focused on steady progress and future development. With Mandalika offering a glimmer of opportunity and Valencia holding the promise of crucial updates, the Portuguese rider’s journey with Pramac Racing Yamaha is one of perseverance, adaptation, and unwavering commitment to pushing his limits—even when the results fall short of his ambitions.