The 2025 MotoGP qualifying session at the Sachsenring proved to be a true test of skill, as riders faced the most difficult weather conditions of the weekend. Rain fell consistently during the event, growing heavier right before Q2, pushing the competitors to their limits.
"In these conditions, every lap counts, and you have to stay focused," said Marc Marquez, who initially appeared to dominate. He started strong, holding a lead of nearly one second, but the challenge was not just the rain; it was after the intense session that he truly showcased his racing mettle.
Despite feeling a little shaky at the tricky Waterfall section, Marquez managed to fend off the competition and secure his seventh pole position of the season with a time of 1:27.811. "It’s always important to be at the front, especially in these conditions where visibility can be a problem," he added, recognizing the strategic advantage of starting ahead.
Johann Zarco emerged as a key player during qualifying. The Frenchman demonstrated his prowess in Q1 and made an impressive push in Q2, finishing just 0.151 seconds behind Marquez. "I felt I had a good rhythm, and I was just focusing on getting clean laps in the wet," Zarco expressed, indicating his confidence and determination as he shared the spotlight with Marquez.
Marco Bezzecchi, representing Aprilia, made a strong statement as well. After initially struggling with tyre choices, he corrected his approach and surged up the timesheets. "It was a tough start, but the team made a good call, and I’m happy to be in the front row," Bezzecchi said. He clocked in at 1:28.232, placing him solidly in third position, a feat particularly notable in his first season with the team.
Franco Morbidelli could have also been a front-row contender but suffered a heavy crash at turn eight during his final flying lap. "I had set a red sector time before the crash, so it was disappointing not to capitalize on that," he reflected after securing fourth place with a time of 1:28.650. Luckily, no other rider could fill the gap of four tenths of a second that separated him from the leading trio.
Pedro Acosta, taking charge of the KTM team, faced his own set of challenges on track but finished as the lead rider from the brand, clocking in fifth with a time of 1:28.779. His performance showed promise yet left room for improvement as he noted, "We still have some adjustments to make for tomorrow's race."
Alex Marquez, who had a conservative approach during the wet session, found himself in sixth place with a time of 1:29.242. "This track is always tricky in the rain, so I’m happy to come away with a decent position," he said, grateful for the chance to start from the upper half of the grid.
A mere eight-thousandths of a second denied Fabio Quartararo a place in the second row, with the Yamaha rider ending up seventh. "Every timing is crucial when it’s this close, and I was pushing hard," Quartararo remarked, indicating his near-miss in a highly competitive field.
The rain affected other riders’ performances, too, including Jack Miller and Brad Binder, who finished ninth and tenth, respectively, after their own challenges throughout the session. Binder faced a setback as his fastest lap was canceled due to yellow flags, which he acknowledged as part of the unpredictable nature of racing.
Further back, Miguel Oliveira missed out on Q2, finishing 13th after falling short by just two-tenths of a second. Joining him on row five will be Fermin Aldeguer and Luca Marini, who both showed glimpses of speed but were unable to capitalize fully.
As the MotoGP moves forward into race day, the Sachsenring promises to deliver thrilling action, with Marquez aiming to extend his lead in the championship standings while others seek redemption on the challenging circuit.