The WorldSBK championship is gearing up for a fascinating technological shift with major regulatory changes on the horizon. The transition from Pirelli to Michelin as the official single-tyre supplier, alongside the introduction of a new rev-limit system, promises to shake up the competitive order. Amidst this technical evolution, the factory Yamaha squad is preparing for an intriguing campaign featuring prominent additions to their rider roster.
One of the most anticipated moves sees Jack Miller making the switch from the premier class to join the Iwata manufacturer in Superbike. The Australian's transition is expected to be relatively seamless as he remains within the familiar Yamaha family, leveraging the YZF-R1 as his standard training motorcycle. This development has sparked genuine excitement from his upcoming teammate, Andrea Locatelli, who is eager to combine forces in the pit box.
Speaking during the EICMA motorcycle exhibition, Locatelli shared his thoughts on the impending partnership. Having previously shared a machine with Miller during the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance event, the Italian rider already possesses firsthand insight into his new colleague's professional approach and camaraderie.
"Soon we will be back on track for testing, and I am really looking forward to it," Locatelli stated during the event. "Jack brings a lot of experience with him, especially regarding Michelin tyres. So he brings a lot of knowledge that will help us understand what we need to adjust on the bike over the course of the season. We shared the bike at the Suzuka 8h—he is a super guy and we had a lot of fun. I think we can do a great job together."
As Yamaha's leading points-scorer in a difficult previous campaign, Locatelli managed only twelfth in the world championship standings as the manufacturer struggled across the board. Nevertheless, the Italian rider approaches the upcoming challenges with a renewed sense of optimism and determination.
"We have to keep our fingers crossed a bit because there are some question marks for the new season. I look forward to the new season with positivity and will give my maximum on track again. What will come out of it cannot be predicted right now," Locatelli reflected. "Recently our potential was not too good and it was hard to deliver a good performance. Overall, however, I expect that we will experience a different season and have more fun. Probably several manufacturers will have the potential to win races, and we can only work hard over the winter to be right there."
The much-anticipated first official appearance of Locatelli and Miller working side-by-side as official teammates is slated to take place during the winter testing sessions in Valencia, marking the true beginning of Yamaha's new era.
Baca Juga
Simak rangkuman lengkap kehadiran gemilang Ducati di EICMA 2026, mulai dari peluncuran motor baru hingga perayaan satu abad sejarah. Baca analisis mendalam di sini!
Simak daftar lengkap pembalap dan tim WorldSBK yang memasuki era baru ban Michelin dengan kedatangan para bintang MotoGP. Baca analisis selengkapnya di sini.
Albert Arenas resmi debut di WorldSBK bersama GoEleven Ducati. Simak analisis kepindahan dan persiapan sang juara dunia di sini!
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!