Yamaha has announced that Jack Miller will join Andrea Locatelli for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, marking a significant return for the factory team. Andrea Locatelli, a WorldSBK rider, will make his first appearance in this legendary Japanese event alongside Miller and seasoned racer Katsuyuki Nakasuga.
Andrea Locatelli Completes Yamaha’s Suzuka 8 Hours Lineup
Andrea Locatelli recently renewed his contract with Yamaha through the 2026 and 2027 World Superbike seasons, and it has now been confirmed that he will join Yamaha’s factory team for his Suzuka 8 Hours debut in 2025. Locatelli will team up with Jack Miller, a prominent Pramac Yamaha MotoGP rider, and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, a four-time Suzuka 8 Hours champion and longtime Yamaha All Japan Superbike competitor. This marks Yamaha’s first full factory entry in the race since 2019.
The 2019 Suzuka 8 Hours saw Yamaha narrowly miss out to Kawasaki after a red flag brought about a contentious race finish, and the brand is eager to mount a strong challenge this year.
Rider Perspectives on Joining the Suzuka Challenge
Andrea Locatelli expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity:
For me, it is a pleasure to be invited to ride the Suzuka 8 Hours for Yamaha,
he stated.
Locatelli emphasized his long-standing relationship with Yamaha and what this chance means to him personally:
For my whole WorldSBK career, I have been a Yamaha rider and this is an honour, especially as I have just signed a new contract to extend my relationship with Yamaha.
He added how special it is to compete with the factory team at Suzuka:
It means a lot to me for Yamaha to give me this opportunity; it has been something I have always wanted to do, but to do it with the Yamaha Factory Racing team is really special.
Locatelli highlighted his anticipation for the track and the race, which presents a new challenge:
Suzuka is an amazing track, and this is a new opportunity and experience for me, so I am very much looking forward to it.
Concluding his remarks, he thanked those involved and looked ahead to preparation and competition:
Thank you to Yamaha and all of the people working on this project, I can’t wait to go for the test and then the race as we look to achieve the best result for Yamaha in this important race.
Yamaha Management Sees Strength in the Rider Lineup
Tetsu Ono, General Manager of Yamaha’s Motorsport Strategy Division, welcomed Locatelli to the team and outlined how the trio’s unique skills combine to form a strong unit. He observed that Katsuyuki Nakasuga brings unmatched experience with the Yamaha YZF-R1, the Suzuka 8 Hours, and the Suzuka Circuit itself. Jack Miller injects passion and a competitive spirit that raises the team’s energy, while Locatelli’s hallmark consistency and motivation provide balance and fresh enthusiasm for his first endurance race.
Ono expressed confidence that Team Manager Wataru Yoshikawa will blend these qualities, alongside the proven capability of the YZF-R1, which has been refined in All Japan Superbike competition, to optimize the team’s performance at Suzuka.
Looking ahead to the race on August 3, Ono echoed a sentiment previously shared by Nakasuga at the team launch in March: Yamaha aims to make a memorable comeback and claim victory after their near miss in 2019.
Ono added,
We want to celebrate Yamaha’s 70th anniversary with an 8 Hours win, and to do it with our fans from all around the world.
Yamaha’s Renewed Factory Commitment at Suzuka
This announcement signals Yamaha’s renewed commitment to the Suzuka 8 Hours, one of the most prestigious endurance races in motorcycle racing. With Jack Miller joining forces with Andrea Locatelli and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Yamaha brings together a combination of youthful energy, proven consistency, and extensive experience.
The team’s push for victory aligns with Yamaha’s milestone 70th anniversary, adding extra significance to the 2025 event. As they prepare, the riders and management focus on testing and fine-tuning their strategy to reclaim the top spot and deliver an outstanding performance on home soil.
