Published: 5 Sep 2024
Miguel Oliveira Joins Pramac as Yamaha Starts New MotoGP Era
Following a rather unsuccessful stint in the Aprilia satellite team, Miguel Oliveira is set to join Pramac Racing Yamaha in 2025.
In a widely anticipated move, Miguel Oliveira will join Yamaha Racing to ride in the newly forming Pramac Yamaha team in 2025 and 2026.
The 29-year-old Oliveira, a 17-time Grand Prix winner, signed a contract directly with Yamaha as the manufacturer sought a rider capable of managing the challenges of a comprehensive restructuring.
Reflecting on his new opportunity, Oliveira expressed his excitement about representing Yamaha, one of the most iconic brands in MotoGP.
“It’s a great privilege for me to represent a brand like Yamaha, which has always been an emblem of excellence in our sport. During my early years in MotoGP, I often admired the blue bikes and now, to be part of that, feels incredible,” Oliveira said.
He also thanked Lin Jarvis, retiring Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, for his role in making the deal possible. “This is a crucial phase for Yamaha, and I believe I can contribute meaningfully to bringing the bike back to the top.”
The Portuguese’s optimism is echoed by Lin Jarvis: “We are excited to have a professional and experienced rider like Miguel join us for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His technical expertise, speed, and precision will be vital in improving the performance of the Yamaha YZR-M1,” Jarvis stated. The Yamaha boss sees Oliveira as a key component in restoring the competitiveness of their factory bikes.
The move comes at a pivotal time for Oliveira, who has faced a challenging 2023 season with Trackhouse Racing, currently sitting in 13th place in the championship standings. While there have been some bright moments, including a podium finish in the sprint race in Germany, his switch from KTM to Aprilia has been widely viewed as a step backward in his career.
Oliveira’s recent struggles, combined with the arrival of Ai Ogura at Trackhouse Racing, made it clear that a fresh start was needed. Now, with Yamaha and Pramac, he has the opportunity to make a resurgence at the top level.
