Alex Rins and Yamaha MotoGP extend its relationship for a further two years until the end of the 2026 season.
Yamaha confirmed the contract extension on the Thursday of the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, but an agreement had been met before the Dutch Grand Prix ahead of the summer break.
Rins signed for the factory Yamaha at the start of the 2024 season and has accumulated four point finishes in the first half of the season.
The Iwata-based manufacturer continues to restore its faith in Rins, seeing the Spaniard as an integral part of its mission of catching up with the leading manufacturers amid a turbulent last few years.
The six-time MotoGP race winner will return to the British Grand Prix following a highside crash at Assen on the opening lap, which caused him to miss the Sachsenring round due to injuries he had sustained.
“I’m very happy to continue working with Yamaha for two more years, and I want to thank the team and the management in Iwata for their trust in me,” said Rins.
“We have a clear goal, to bring Yamaha where it belongs, and that’s to fight for championships. Since the first minute, I have seen Yamaha’s willingness to improve and how they are putting in all the resources to reach that objective.
“As a result, and thanks to our work, we have made some important steps this season heading in that direction, and we want to continue that way in the following years. I’m delighted to keep bringing my experience in MotoGP and work ethic to a team that has proved to be pushing very hard all together and that will continue doing so.”
Yamaha retains both Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins until the start of the 2026 season before the new 2027 regulation era commences.
“We are delighted to announce that Álex Rins will continue as a Yamaha factory rider for a further two years,” said Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis.
“We have clearly stated that we have a strong desire and intent to return to the top again in the MotoGP championship. To achieve that goal, we have already recruited new staff, changed our internal organisation structures, and expanded our external technical partnerships.
“We have additionally committed to expand our presence in 2025 with an independent second Factory Team and now it is time to ensure that we have the riders we want to achieve the results we, and they, crave for. Álex signing on for two more years is an important part of our plan for the MotoGP Project.
“Álex is not only a very talented and fast rider, but he is also technically savvy, a hard worker, and a real team player. The collaboration between Álex and Fabio gives Yamaha the confidence that together they can strengthen the bike development project.”