Yamaha secures Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura for 2027 and 2028
It is official: Yamaha is betting the house on a completely new direction for the 2027 MotoGP season. The Iwata factory has locked in the 2024 World Champion, Jorge Martin, alongside the rising star and recent Dutch GP winner Ai Ogura. This duo will spearhead the Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team through both 2027 and 2028.
It is a stunning combination of raw pedigree and future potential. Martin brings the elite, benchmark-setting speed of a proven champion to the garage, while Ogura—fresh off his victory in Assen—arrives as the prototype of a modern rising talent. Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio confirmed the move, noting that securing such caliber is vital as the sport pivots toward a brand new technical era.
Honestly, seeing Ogura make this move is a massive statement of intent for the Japanese manufacturer. Pavesio highlighted that the team is particularly proud to see a Japanese rider in the Factory Team colors. With the championship entering its next chapter, Yamaha has clearly decided that a mix of Martin’s fierce determination and Ogura’s rapid progression is exactly the machine they need to be competitive.
