Overview
- Yamaha officially announced on Wednesday that Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura will race for its factory MotoGP team in 2027 and 2028.
- The signings confirm that Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will leave the Yamaha factory squad for 2027.
- The move leaves a Trackhouse satellite seat open that media report is likely to be filled by Enea Bastianini pending formal confirmation.
- Yamaha cited Martín’s return to strong form and Ogura’s breakthrough Assen win as reasons for the hires, while Martín’s Aprilia spell included crashes, injuries and contractual tensions.
- The recruits arrive with big uncertainty about competitiveness because 2027 rules cut engine size to 850cc, reduce aerodynamic and electronic aids, and switch tyre supplier to Pirelli, any of which could reshuffle which manufacturers lead the grid.