MotoGP News: Jack Miller’s Fresh Tire Gamble Secures Top Spot in Valencia FP1

In a dramatic close to Free Practice 1 for the 2025 MotoGP season finale at Valencia, Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller (pictured) surged to the fastest lap with a fresh set of medium tires, vaulting from 14th to the top of the timesheets just as the 45-minute session wrapped up.

Title runner-up Alex Marquez had dominated the leaderboard for most of the morning on a single set of tires, but Miller’s late charge put him 0.5 seconds clear. As others scrambled for fresh rubber in the dying moments, Miller held on for a 0.323-second edge over rookie Ai Ogura in second. Honda’s HRC wildcard Aleix Espargaro and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez rounded out the top four.

Franco Morbidelli rounded off the top five by nursing his worn tires to outpace Marquez in the end, showcasing smart resource management on a tricky circuit.

Augusto Fernandez marked his third weekend aboard the Yamaha M1 in 10th after bolting on new rubber late on. The Spaniard has a revised frame to evaluate this weekend, though the engine remains unchanged from prior rounds.

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia and his Ducati teammate Marco Bezzecchi opted for a conservative approach, sticking with the same medium rear tire for a subdued start to the weekend.

Injury returnees Maverick Vinales and Jorge Martin endured tough reintroductions, finishing 19th and 24th respectively as they shook off rust from their layoffs.

The session’s first tumble came from Brad Binder, with the South African KTM rider crashing early—watched intently from the pit wall by his incoming 2026 crew chief, Phil Marron, who was on hand as an observer. Rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer, the season’s Rookie of the Year, joined the fallers in the final five minutes.

Tire choices leaned predictable in the cool morning conditions, with most riders opting for the soft front and medium rear combo. Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega bucked the trend, experimenting with a few laps on the harder front compound.

FP1 kicked off later than scheduled, delayed by incidents in the preceding Moto2 session where water on the track at Turn 6 triggered a multi-rider pile-up.

Valencia GP Practice 1 Results