MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Alex Rins has confirmed he will not continue with Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP for the 2027 season, after being informed by team management of a new rider signing ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.
The confirmation follows strong reports that Yamaha has secured Ai Ogura for next season, with Jorge Martin also expected to join as a replacement for Fabio Quartararo. This projected line-up effectively ends Rins’ tenure with the Japanese manufacturer.
Rins revealed that he learned of the decision during a phone call with team principal Massimo Meregalli approximately eleven days before the Jerez weekend. While initially reluctant to disclose details, Meregalli confirmed that another rider had already been signed.
“Eleven days ago, I called Massimo Meregalli, just a normal call,” Rins said.
“I have a really good relationship with him. When I called him, I asked him straight away if there was any update.”
“He didn’t say anything at first, but then told me that they had signed the second rider.”
The development highlights a strategic shift within Yamaha as it continues to reshape its MotoGP project, including the transition towards a V4 engine concept. However, this direction has left limited room for Rins, who had hoped the new technical project would provide a platform to rebuild his competitiveness.
“How am I going to feel about Ogura signing with Yamaha?” Rins added.
“Well, it’s made me feel pretty bad, to be honest.”
“I was comfortable at LCR. I had the option to come to Yamaha, and I thought I’d have more opportunities, but it hasn’t quite turned out that way.”
Since joining Yamaha in 2024, Rins has faced significant adaptation challenges, particularly with the inline-four M1, which differs from his preferred riding characteristics. Although Yamaha has invested in developing a V4 engine for the future, the project has yet to deliver tangible on-track results within the expected timeframe.
“These have been some tough years. I had a hard time adapting to the inline-four engine, and we bet big on the V4 engine to build a bike that suited my style and take it to the top,” he explained.
“But it’s not going to happen.”
Rins’ situation is further complicated by a constrained rider market for 2027, with limited available seats as manufacturers continue negotiations over the championship’s future commercial structure. This leaves his prospects of remaining on the MotoGP grid uncertain.
The Spaniard made his MotoGP debut in 2017 with Team Suzuki Ecstar, securing five victories with the team, including its final win before Suzuki’s withdrawal at the end of 2022. He later moved to LCR Honda before joining Yamaha.
With Yamaha’s decision now confirmed, Rins’ future has become one of the key narratives shaping the MotoGP 2027 rider market. Further developments will depend on movements across other teams as the grid structure evolves ahead of the next regulatory era.
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