Who will ride for Yamaha's factory team in MotoGP from 2027?

From 2027, Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will form Yamaha's factory team in MotoGP. The contract covers the 2027 and 2028 seasons. They replace Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, who leave the manufacturer after 2026.

When was the signing of Martin and Ogura announced?

Yamaha announced the signing of Martin and Ogura on July 1, the company's own founding date. The announcement came one day after the official split from Quartararo and Rins. Martin joins from Aprilia, while Ogura also moves to the factory team.

What makes Ai Ogura's move to Yamaha special?

Ai Ogura becomes Yamaha's first Japanese factory rider in MotoGP. He won in Assen, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a premier-class race since Makoto Tamada in 2004. He previously won the Moto2 title in 2024.

What changes in MotoGP from 2027?

Starting in 2027, MotoGP will introduce new technical regulations. Engine displacement is reduced to 850cc, aerodynamics are cut back, and current ride-height devices are banned. The series will also switch to Pirelli tires.

Martin and Ogura Join Yamaha: What the 2027 Rebuild Means

Yamaha has filled its MotoGP factory team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons with championship leader Jorge Martin and Japan’s Ai Ogura. The announcement lands right in the middle of the shift to the new 850cc era, one day after confirming the departures of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.

Jorge Martin, 2024 MotoGP world champion, and Ai Ogura will ride for Yamaha’s factory team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons
Martin moves from Aprilia, while Ogura becomes Yamaha’s first Japanese factory rider in MotoGP
Yamaha announced the signings on July 1, the company’s own founding date

Yamaha is completely rebuilding its factory team in MotoGP. For the 2027 and 2028 seasons, the manufacturer from Iwata has signed Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura. The timing is no coincidence: the announcement came on July 1, the day the Yamaha Motor Company was founded in 1955. At the same time, this personnel overhaul falls right into the buildup to a new technical era for the premier class, which begins in 2027.

Jorge Martin leaning deep into a corner on the Aprilia RS-GP 89 at the edge of the Assen track – MotoGP Dutch GP Assen 2026 — Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing, number 89) – Dutch GP Assen, MotoGP 2026

What changes in the Yamaha factory team from 2027?

Yamaha is replacing its current rider lineup entirely, starting 2027 with Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura. The signing was announced just one day after the manufacturer officially confirmed that Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave after the 2026 season. With Martin, Yamaha brings in a former world champion; with Ogura, a rising rider who has turned heads this season. Both are expected to lead the manufacturer back to the top after several difficult years.

Why is Jorge Martin leaving Aprilia for Yamaha?

Jorge Martin will leave Aprilia at the end of the 2026 season and move to the Japanese rival. The Spaniard became MotoGP world champion in 2024 and currently leads the championship standings, having claimed his first win on the Aprilia in Le Mans and delivered strong results since. Yamaha is said to have pushed hard for the signing as early as January, after it became clear that Quartararo would move to Honda. That allowed the manufacturer to secure early on a rider who has already proven he can fight for titles.

Ai Ogura, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi wearing blue Michelin pole caps in front of the Tissot wall – historic Aprilia front-row lockout in qualifying at the MotoGP Dutch GP in Assen 2026 — Aprilia front row at the MotoGP Dutch GP Assen 2026 (left to right): Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia, P2), pole-setter Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing, P3)

Ai Ogura becomes Yamaha’s first Japanese factory rider

Ai Ogura joins the factory team having just celebrated his first premier-class win. The 25-year-old won in Assen, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a MotoGP race since Makoto Tamada triumphed in Motegi in 2004. Ogura became Moto2 world champion in 2024 and originally came up through Honda’s junior program. His move to Yamaha reportedly became possible after Trackhouse failed to reach an early agreement with him. For Yamaha, the signing carries extra significance, as Ogura becomes the brand’s first Japanese factory rider in MotoGP.

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What does Yamaha say about signing Martin and Ogura?

Yamaha Motorsport boss Paolo Pavesio frames the signing as the start of a new project phase. “We are excited to welcome Jorge and Ai to the Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team as we enter a new era in 2027. Securing riders of this calibre underlines our ambition and confidence in the project,” he is quoted as saying.

On Martin, Pavesio says the Spaniard has already established himself as one of the leading riders in MotoGP and has the speed, determination and mental strength to fight for wins and world titles. Yamaha expects him to take on a key role in development from day one. He describes Ogura’s progress over the past season and a half as outstanding, adding that the team is especially proud to welcome a Japanese rider to the factory squad.

Fabio Quartararo leaning the Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 with number 20 into a corner – MotoGP Dutch GP Assen 2026 — Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha, number 20) – Dutch GP Assen, MotoGP 2026

What does the new 850cc era mean for Martin and Ogura?

Starting in 2027, MotoGP will introduce new technical regulations, and Yamaha’s rebuild lands right in the middle of that transition. Martin and Ogura will then ride a Yamaha M1 with 850cc displacement, featuring reduced aerodynamics and no longer using the ride-height devices employed today. The premier class will also switch to Pirelli tires. The regulation change gives manufacturers a chance to reshuffle the competitive order, and Yamaha wants to leave its difficult recent seasons behind. Signing a former world champion alongside a rider fresh off his first Grand Prix win can be read as a signal of the manufacturer’s own ambitions in this context.

Alex Rins leaning over the curb on the Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 with number 42 – MotoGP Dutch GP Assen 2026 — Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha, number 42) – Dutch GP Assen, MotoGP 2026

➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: 2026 MotoGP Season: The Complete Overview – Teams, Riders, Calendar & Championship Standings. Find all key information on this topic in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will ride for Yamaha’s factory team in MotoGP from 2027?

From 2027, Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will form Yamaha’s factory team in MotoGP. The contract covers the 2027 and 2028 seasons. They replace Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, who leave the manufacturer after 2026.
When was the signing of Martin and Ogura announced?

Yamaha announced the signing of Martin and Ogura on July 1, the company’s own founding date. The announcement came one day after the official split from Quartararo and Rins. Martin joins from Aprilia, while Ogura also moves to the factory team.
What makes Ai Ogura’s move to Yamaha special?

Ai Ogura becomes Yamaha’s first Japanese factory rider in MotoGP. He won in Assen, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a premier-class race since Makoto Tamada in 2004. He previously won the Moto2 title in 2024.
What changes in MotoGP from 2027?

Starting in 2027, MotoGP will introduce new technical regulations. Engine displacement is reduced to 850cc, aerodynamics are cut back, and current ride-height devices are banned. The series will also switch to Pirelli tires.