“MotoGP 2024 presents a ‘super complex’ scenario for Yamaha with 19 riders and 3 teams up for contract renewal.”

Lin Jarvis [Yamaha Team Director] describes it as both thrilling on the circuit and extremely complex behind the scenes.

“With Monster Yamaha teammates Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins among the 19 MotoGP riders up for contract renewal this year, along with three satellite teams, Lin Jarvis foresees the 2024 season as ‘super complex off the track.’

“At the Sepang test,” Jarvis remarked, “You have 18 or 19 riders without contracts for next year. There are four riders that do, which I think are Brad Binder, I suppose Pedro Acosta, Johann Zarco,Luca Marini.”

“Publicly, at least, star rookie who is only rookie in 2024 Pedro Acosta has only a one-year contract at KTM, although the KTM factory surely has their options on his services for 2025.”

Jarvis continued, “So it’s going to be very very exciting on the track to watch the races, and it’s going to be very very complex off the track, because you also have three satellite teams with no contracts signed with manufacturers for 2025, which are obviously Pramac, LCR, and VR46.”

We know that “Pramac is Ducati’s official satellite team, utilizing the latest machinery and riders signed by the factory. LCR holds the same status at Honda. VR46, therefore, appears to be the least tethered on paper, utilizing year-old Ducati machinery and riders signed only by the team.”

“Valentino Rossi’s longstanding association with Yamaha is evident, and despite his role as a brand ambassador, it would be a bold move in competitive terms to part ways with the Desmosedicis at this stage.”

“However, for Jarvis, the managing director and team principal of Yamaha’s MotoGP project, the priority arguably lies in retaining the services of the 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo.”

“I’m 100 percent focused on the job,” Quartararo affirmed. “I think Yamaha is making important strides compared to previous years. As for my future, I will need to take my time, but undoubtedly, it will be a crucial decision.”

“Without a victory since mid-2022, Yamaha presently lacks a strong position in terms of results.

“Nonetheless, Jarvis expresses confidence that the investments and alterations implemented in recent years—such as recruiting Luca Marmorini to enhance engine performance, enlisting Dallara for aerodynamics, and acquiring key personnel from Ducati—alongside newfound access to technical concessions, will yield dividends this season.

“We need to return to regular podium finishes, and I believe we are capable of securing victories,” he stated confidently.”

“You sign a contract for the bike you expect to have in the future,” Jarvis emphasized.

“However, securing new agreements with Quartararo, Rins, and a satellite team will also hinge on ‘convincing them of our intention, capacity, and skills for the future.’

‘For both a satellite [team] and our own riders, we need to be competitive. And if we are not 100% competitive this year, we need to be able to demonstrate convincingly that with our investments, we are making strides,’ Jarvis explained.

‘Because when you sign a new contract with a team , you are not signing it for the bike that you have currently. You’re signing it for the bike you anticipate having in the future.’

“Citing the case of Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1 – who surprised many by leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2012 and has now agreed to a stunning move to Ferrari for 2025 – Jarvis hopes that riders and a satellite team will see Yamaha’s potential for the future:

” ‘It’s interesting to look at Lewis Hamilton because it’s a bold change he’s making. I remember, he mentioned it this week himself, that he made a significant move in 2013 when he joined Mercedes.

” ‘When he moved to Mercedes, many, including myself, had some doubts. ‘Are you sure?’ Obviously, he knew something and had confidence that they were implementing what was necessary to be competitive in the future.’

“So, the utmost priority for rider choices and securing a satellite team – absent from Yamaha’s MotoGP lineup since RNF switched to Aprilia for 2023 – is to ‘convince them of our intentions, capabilities, and potential for the future.’

“While rider deals potentially have more extended deadlines, signing a satellite team—absent from Yamaha’s MotoGP lineup since RNF switched to Aprilia for 2023—needs to be concluded by ‘mid-season.’

” ‘At worst, during the summer break. But in my view, sometime in June, perhaps during Assen, is the right timing,’ Jarvis noted.”

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