Alex Marquez showed Yamaha they face one ‘scandalous’ issue with Indonesian Grand Prix overtake

Add as preferred source on Google

The first half of Yamaha’s 2025 MotoGP season was incredibly promising, but things have come crashing back down to earth since the summer break.

At the Indonesian Grand Prix, a race filled with attrition and opportunity, none of their four riders managed to finish inside the top six, despite them all making the finish among 10 other rivals. Alex Rins looked on course for a podium at one stage, before his pace fell off a cliff.

It puts into perspective how urgent the V4 engine project must be, considering that the M1 bike is struggling everywhere. Yamaha could compete at some tracks earlier in the year, but now they look lost everywhere they go.

Fabio Quartararo couldn’t understand his tyre problems in Mandalika, and has been baffled by a lot of the issues he has faced recently. His patience won’t last forever. Jack Miller’s Yamaha feedback is ‘golden’, but there’s only so much his words can do for them. Eventually, they need to bring outright speed to the table.

READ MORE: Fabio Quartararo believes Yamaha are behind with their V4 development after what he’s seen

Alex Marquez overtake on Alex Rins proved Yamaha’s ‘scandalous’ lack of power

Quartararo’s criticism of Yamaha’s V4 is ‘not fantastic’ and is not a good sign for the relationship between the two in the future. If the Japanese manufacturer wants to keep hold of their superstar rider heading into the 2027 regulations, they need to prove to him that they can still deliver.

After looking at the data, Rins has hailed Quartararo’s speed and can see that some of the things he does on a bike can be remarkable. He deserved at least one victory for his efforts this season, but was let down by a ride height device failure at Silverstone.

Borja Gonzalez has now shared the moment he spotted Yamaha had a ‘scandalous’ lack of power in Indonesia, after watching Gresini’s Alex Marquez coast past Rins in the closing stages of the race.

“It was definitely the Yamaha [lacking power], because there was a helicopter shot of Alex Marquez overtaking Rins that has been a scandalous thing,” he said. “He’s blown it up, but it must also be said when you are talking to him, I don’t know why he couldn’t be here because he was doing the interviews.

“Alex Rins has also taken advantage, as happened the other day [at Motegi] with Mir or Bagnaia, to vindicate himself as a rider and talk about all those who don’t believe in him.”

READ MORE: Jack Miller admits ‘missing’ Yamaha trait forced V4 engine decision before 2027 MotoGP regulations

Why Alex Rins would have been disappointed after the Indonesian Grand Prix

Despite equalling what was his best result of the MotoGP season at Mandalika, Rins still would have been leaving the track very disappointed.

He had the opportunity to pull away and was in second place with a handful of laps to go before losing all of his pace.

That was despite being on a bike, which is clearly down on power. Sitting 19th in the standings shows he hasn’t had much joy this year, and probably deserved some.

He’s on course to match the worst finish of his career if he fails to score an impressive result in the final four races of the campaign. He’ll want to build some momentum for 2026.