Alex Rins opens up about the challenges he faced during his time with Yamaha in MotoGP, emphasizing how the experience was "mentally tough" yet manageable, thanks to the professionalism of his team.
Having joined the factory Yamaha squad in 2024 after a challenging year with LCR Honda—where he endured a significant leg injury at the Italian Grand Prix—Rins brought with him a wealth of experience as a six-time MotoGP winner.
He was anticipated to quickly adapt to the Yamaha, particularly its inline-four engine, given his previous success with the Suzuki variant from 2017 to 2022. However, despite these expectations, he has struggled to regain the race-winning performance he demonstrated on both the GSX-RR and Honda. So far, his best finish on the Yamaha has been a seventh place at the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix.
Throughout the 2025 season, there were glimpses of potential, such as his strong fourth-place qualifying position at Mandalika, where he competed fiercely for a podium spot. Nevertheless, by the end of the year, he found himself ranked third among the four Yamaha riders, finishing in 19th place overall with 68 points, while his teammate Fabio Quartararo celebrated a remarkable season with 201 points and multiple podium finishes.
In times of difficulty, teams often consider restructuring their crew around a rider, which can lead to significant changes. However, Rins expressed that he never felt the need for such adjustments at Yamaha. "It was a bit tough, mentally," he remarked in Valencia regarding his two-year stint with the team. "But, having a good group of people around you and good professionals makes it easier. In the end, you need to be at 100%, so they help you not to dwell on the tougher moments. I believe in my team, and I know they are truly professional and the best ones available. For next year, Yamaha has renewed them, so everything is going to stay the same."
Looking ahead, the upcoming 2026 season will be the final year of Rins' current contract with Yamaha. He and teammate Quartararo are set to kick off Yamaha's 2026 campaign with an official launch event in Jakarta on January 21. Notably, this season will also usher in a significant shift for Yamaha, as they prepare to introduce a V4 motorcycle for the first time in the modern era.
Lewis, who joined the Crash.net team in August 2024, brings five years of journalism experience focused on MotoGP, having covered the sport extensively for the Motorsport Network.
