Alex Rins, Yamaha rider / @YamahaMotoGP
Friday at the 2026 French Grand Prix produced an unusual sight: all manufacturers represented in the top 10, a stark contrast to recent Ducati dominance. The classification was surprising enough, but the names at the sharp end were even more unexpected—among them Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
Accustomed to battling in Q1, both Spanish riders found a surge of optimism in their Friday performances. “Results like this bring joy and satisfaction. When you achieve something like this, everyone is happy—my mechanics and I,” said Rins in post-session remarks. For the Yamaha rider, Le Mans marked his best Friday result since Australia 2025, arriving at a time when his team situation is strained. In Jerez, Rins himself confirmed that Yamaha won’t retain him for next season, and with the rider market virtually closed, his options to continue in the championship are limited.
In Le Mans, Rins qualified eighth as the top Yamaha, ahead of Jack Miller (15th), Fabio Quartararo (17th), and Toprak Razgatlioglu (20th, 1.4 seconds off the pace). He attributed the result to feeling comfortable rather than any bike changes. “Simply put, I felt good. When you feel good and can push, you can extract that extra bit to make a fast lap. I squeezed a little more out of myself and it worked,” the #42 explained, adding that he gambled on soft tires for the final part. “Yes, in the end, results like this bring joy—maybe to some more than others. But I’m very happy,” he concluded.
Beyond the press conference, Rins shared his positive feelings online. “I walked into the garage and saw the mechanics smiling. That says it all. Best Friday of the season, straight to Q2 with P8. Good momentum for tomorrow,” he posted on social media.
Joan Mir during practice / YOAN VALAT / EFE
Another satisfied rider was Joan Mir. The Mallorcan took the baton from his teammate Luca Marini, who topped FP1, and placed himself among the top five, behind fellow Honda rider Zarco and the three Ducatis of Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, and Àlex Márquez. “It was a very positive day,” Mir admitted, saying he has good feelings and is fast every time he goes out. “The bike probably suits this type of circuit a little better. I already expected potential, though maybe not this much,” he added, pointing to improved front-end feel as key. “On this circuit, it’s very difficult to find good front-end sensations, and that’s what we found. I think Zarco found it too.”
Joan Mir is another rider who could lose his seat for 2027. He has no confirmed ride at Honda HRC Castrol, where Fabio Quartararo and likely David Alonso are expected to arrive, pending official confirmation. Despite the situation, Mir hinted that some viable options remain, possibly with another structure.
