Yamaha Secures Martín and Ogura for 2027 MotoGP Factory Team Lineup

Yamaha Motor RacingTeam·Yamaha Motor Racing today confirmed a pivotal move in the MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP landscape, announcing that Jorge MartínPlayer·Jorge Martín and Ai OguraPlayer·Ai Ogura will form its factory rider lineup for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This strategic recruitment comes as the sport prepares for a new technical era in 2027, which will see engine capacity reduced from 1000cc to 850cc and a transition from Michelin to Pirelli tires.

The announcement follows closely on the heels of Yamaha's farewell to current factory riders Fabio QuartararoPlayer·Fabio Quartararo and Alex RinsPlayer·Alex Rins, whose departures pave the way for this new pairing. The move positions Yamaha as the third manufacturer to finalize its 2027 factory roster, after DucatiTeam·Ducati confirmed Marc MárquezPlayer·Marc Márquez and Pedro AcostaPlayer·Pedro Acosta, and Aprilia RacingTeam·Aprilia Racing secured Francesco BagnaiaPlayer·Francesco Bagnaia and Marco BezzecchiPlayer·Marco Bezzecchi. HondaTeam·Honda and KTMTeam·KTM are now the sole manufacturers yet to officially confirm their factory riders for the upcoming era.

Paolo PavesioCoach·Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor RacingTeam·Yamaha Motor Racing, expressed enthusiasm for the new additions. "We are thrilled to welcome Jorge and Ai to the Yamaha MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP factory team as we embark on a new era in 2027," Pavesio stated. "Securing riders of such caliber underscores our ambitions and confidence in the project."

Pavesio elaborated on the qualities each rider brings to the team. "Jorge has already proven himself as one of the benchmark riders in MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP, possessing the speed, determination, and mentality required to contend for victories and world championships. We expect him to play a key role in elevating our performance from day one." Regarding Ogura, Pavesio added, "Ai's progress over the last season and a half has been exceptional. His talent, work ethic, and potential give us confidence that he can develop into one of the championship's top riders. We are particularly proud to welcome a Japanese rider to the Yamaha factory team."

The timing of these confirmations is notable, arriving just days after both riders achieved significant milestones at the Grand Prix of the NetherlandsCompetition·Grand Prix of the Netherlands in AssenVenue·Assen. Last Sunday, Jorge MartínPlayer·Jorge Martín, the 2024 MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP World Champion, departed AssenVenue·Assen as the new leader in the 2026 championship standings, having secured a third-place finish after claiming pole position. His 2026 season has seen a resurgence, including a victory at Le MansVenue·Le Mans, following a challenging 2025 campaign with Aprilia marked by injuries.

Ai OguraPlayer·Ai Ogura, the 2024 Moto2Competition·Moto2 World Champion, also celebrated a landmark achievement at AssenVenue·Assen, clinching his maiden victory in the premier class. This triumph made him the first Japanese rider to win a MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP race since Makoto TamadaPlayer·Makoto Tamada's victory at MotegiVenue·Motegi 22 years prior. Ogura's strong form in 2026, including a second-place finish in BrnoVenue·Brno, has propelled him to fourth in the current championship standings.

Martín's transition to Yamaha concludes a dynamic period with Aprilia, while Ogura's move materialized after Trackhouse MotoGP TeamTeam·Trackhouse MotoGP Team did not secure his future, allowing Yamaha to finalize the deal swiftly during the Grand Prix of the AmericasCompetition·Grand Prix of the Americas. Ogura, despite developing within HondaTeam·Honda's rider program before their separation in 2024, will become Yamaha's first Japanese factory rider in MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP.

Looking ahead, the rider market continues to evolve. KTMTeam·KTM is anticipated to announce Alex MárquezPlayer·Alex Márquez and Fabio Di GiannantonioPlayer·Fabio Di Giannantonio joining their ranks from GresiniTeam·Gresini and VR46Team·VR46, respectively. HondaTeam·Honda is expected to confirm Fabio QuartararoPlayer·Fabio Quartararo's signing at a later stage. In Yamaha's satellite team, PramacTeam·Pramac, Toprak RazgatliogluPlayer·Toprak Razgatlioglu is projected to partner with Izan GuevaraPlayer·Izan Guevara, who will step up from Paolo Campinoti's Moto2Competition·Moto2 team.