Fabio Quartararo did something ‘awful’ immediately after scoring French Grand Prix pole

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Fabio Quartararo sent Le Mans wild on Saturday morning after the Yamaha star beat Ducati rival Marc Marquez to pole position for the 2025 French Grand Prix by 0.118s.

The momentum was firmly in the Ducati camp right from the start of Q2, as Marquez set the first provisional pole lap time with a 1:30.065. But it was only a taster for what was to come, as the 32-year-old also lowered his benchmark to a 1:29.442 with a new Le Mans lap record.

It thus seemed certain the Ducati star would return to taking P1 on the grid after Quartararo denied Marquez pole for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez two weeks ago. Yet the Yamaha ace dug deep to record a 1:29.324 on Quartararo’s final flying lap in qualifying for the French GP.

Fabio Quartararo looked ‘awful’ with his ride height engaged after scoring French GP pole

Quartararo securing pole for the French GP even marks the first time that he has taken P1 in back-to-back qualifying sessions in 1,434 days. The Yamaha rider may also have an edge for the races, as all Ducati riders struggled to activate the hard front tyre at Le Mans in practice.

But Neil Hodgson feels Quartararo also looked ‘awful’ testing how his Yamaha M1 could take Turn 3 with the rear ride height device still engaged after qualifying for the French GP. Riders only used the device at the end of their push laps in qualifying yet will start the races with it.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats

Hodgson said on TNT Sports 2 (10/05, 10:36): “[He] tried the line to practice for Turn 1. And you saw what it looked like, it looked awful! Didn’t it, though? I’m surprised they’ve not discussed this in the riders’ safety meeting. It’s going to be tricky for the riders.”

Fabio Quartararo does not rule out Francesco Bagnaia fighting him and Marc Marquez at Le Mans

Turn 3 is the first proper corner at Le Mans, so is widely regarded as the first turn with a lap of the French GP circuit starting with two slight curves that are designated as Turns 1 and 2. Only when riders reach T3 do they have to hit the brakes before turning left for the chicane.

Riders know that taking the Turn 1 and 2 curves at the start of the Le Mans Sprint Race and French GP with their rear ride height devices active will make it more difficult to turn their bikes. But they also know it will be necessary to ensure they do not lose places off the grid.

Quartararo, in particular, will not want to lose places before the Yamaha rider reaches T3 in either race at his home meet. Marquez got a better start than Quartararo in the Jerez Sprint but would not capitalise on it after the Yamaha rider fought back immediately on the brakes.

He will likely need every advantage possible to avoid slipping behind the Spaniard this week, as well. Also, Quartararo refuses to underestimate Francesco Bagnaia at the French GP, who qualified in sixth place for Ducati. Championship leader Alex Marquez of Gresini will start P3.