Alex Rins has acknowledged that his two seasons with Yamaha in MotoGP have been “mentally challenging,” but he appreciates the professionalism of the team supporting him in the garage. The six-time MotoGP race winner joined Yamaha’s factory squad in 2024 following a serious leg injury at the Italian GP and a difficult year with LCR Honda.
Rins was anticipated to adapt quickly to Yamaha’s inline four-cylinder engine, given his past success with a similar Suzuki engine from 2017 to 2022. However, he hasn’t yet regained the race-winning performance he showed with Suzuki and Honda, with his best finish in two years at Yamaha being seventh place at the 2025 Indonesian GP.
Though 2025 had some bright moments, like qualifying fourth and challenging for the podium at Mandalika, Rins ended the season in 19th overall, ranking third among Yamaha riders with 68 points, compared to teammate Fabio Quartararo’s 201 points and multiple podiums.
Despite struggles, there are no plans to change Rins’ crew. He mentioned that while the mental aspect was tough, having a strong, expert team made things easier. He trusts the Yamaha team to remain professional and believes that everything will stay the same heading into the renewed 2026 season. Rins’ current contract runs through 2026, and both he and Quartararo will begin the new season at an event in Jakarta on January 21. Notably, Yamaha plans to launch its first modern V4 bike next year, marking a major shift.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for racing enthusiasts because it highlights the challenges a top rider faces despite top-tier machinery and support. Yamaha’s move to a modern V4 bike next season could be a game-changer, potentially shaking up the competitive landscape in MotoGP.
