Alex Rins has described his experience with Yamaha MotoGP as mentally demanding, though he values the support of his professional team members during these difficult seasons. Speaking candidly about his journey, Rins reflected on both his move to the factory Yamaha squad in 2024 and his efforts to overcome ongoing challenges in race results and performance.
Rins’ Transition from Suzuki and Honda to Yamaha
Rins entered the Yamaha MotoGP team in 2024 after coping with a serious leg injury suffered during his only year with LCR Honda at the Italian Grand Prix. Prior to joining Yamaha, he had achieved notable success riding Suzuki’s inline-four engine from 2017 to 2022, which set high expectations for his performance with Yamaha’s factory squad. However, repeating his previous race-winning form has proven difficult. Across his two seasons with Yamaha, Rins’ top result was a seventh-place finish at the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix.
Despite moments that hinted at a breakthrough, such as a podium bid at Mandalika following a strong qualifying performance, Rins struggled to find consistency. He finished the 2025 season 19th in the championship standings with 68 points, ranking third among four Yamaha riders. In contrast, his team-mate Fabio Quartararo collected 201 points and secured multiple podium finishes.
Confidence in the Yamaha Team Remains Strong
While some struggling teams might consider changing their technical crew, Rins has never entertained such a prospect at Yamaha.
“It was a bit tough, mentally,”
Alex Rins said in Valencia, describing his first two years with Yamaha.
Rins emphasized the importance of having skilled professionals around him, noting it makes the demanding times easier to handle. He expressed his faith in his team’s expertise and the positive role their professionalism plays in his ability to stay focused and competitive. Looking ahead, Rins confirmed that he will continue with the same trusted crew for the coming year.
“For next year, Yamaha renewed them, so everything is going to be the same.”
– Alex Rins, describing crew continuity
Looking to the Future with Yamaha and Upcoming Changes
The 2026 season is set to be Rins’ final year under his current contract with Yamaha. He and team-mate Fabio Quartararo will kick off Yamaha’s new campaign at an official event in Jakarta on January 21, signaling both a fresh challenge and a continuation of their established partnership. Marking a significant shift, Yamaha is preparing to introduce a V4 motorcycle for the first time in its contemporary racing history, which could shake up the dynamics within the team and the wider MotoGP field.
As Alex Rins faces what could be a pivotal season in his MotoGP career, both Rins and Yamaha are counting on their established collaboration and upcoming technical developments to improve their results and build on their shared experience. His resilience and faith in his crew remain central as they look to make strides in the fiercely competitive world of MotoGP racing.
