[MotoGP] Officially Announced! Ai Ogura Joins Yamaha Factory for the 2027 Season! Teaming Up with Jorge Martín

Yamaha Motor Corporation has announced that Ai Ogura and Jorge Martín will be the factory team riders for the new MotoGP season starting in 2027. Consequently, the contracts with the current team riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, will conclude at the end of the 2026 season.

The Tag Team of Ogura and the 850cc + Pirelli YZR-M1: How Will It Perform?!

At the Dutch GP last weekend, Ai Ogura achieved his first MotoGP premier class victory in 22 years for a Japanese rider. His future had been a subject of much speculation, and it has now been officially announced that he will transfer to the Yamaha factory team starting in 2027.

His teammate will be Jorge Martín, the current ace of the Aprilia factory team and the 2024 World Champion. Both Ogura and Martín will be moving to the Yamaha camp and will compete in the 2027 season with the Yamaha YZR-M1, which will feature a regulation change from 1000cc to 850cc, and a switch from Michelin tires to Pirelli this season.

This announcement is part of Yamaha's long-term strategy looking towards the future. With the new lineup featuring the highly anticipated young talent Ogura and the proven champion Martín, Yamaha is clearly demonstrating its commitment to enhancing its competitiveness on the premier stage.

At last weekend's Dutch GP, Ogura secured victory with an overwhelming performance. He is currently 4th in the points standings, in contention for the championship!

Ogura is currently riding an Aprilia for the Superbike-Trackhouse MotoGP team. His move from the highly successful Aprilia in the 2026 season to the struggling Yamaha – how will it turn out?

He will be transferring to the Yamaha factory team along with Martín (right), who is currently with the Aprilia factory team.

Quartararo and Rins to Depart

In conjunction with the transition to the new structure, it was also announced that the partnership with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will conclude at the end of the 2026 season.

Yamaha has expressed its respect and gratitude to both riders who have supported Yamaha's MotoGP project for many years. While Quartararo is rumored to be moving to Honda HRC, we await an official announcement to confirm this.

Yamaha has also signed a contract to participate in MotoGP from 2027 to 2031, indicating its intention to continue its long-term commitment to the sport.

Yamaha MotoGP Official Website: https://www.yamahamotogp.com/

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