On the same day we saw his current team Trackhouse Racing release a “teaser” video on social media, where the owner of the American structure, Justin Marks, appears to be searching and claims to have found a rider to pilot the Aprilia RS-GP in MotoGP, we have the name of the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira being confirmed at Pramac Yamaha!
This is reported by the Italian portal Sky Sport Italia, which, following the uncertainty surrounding Miguel Oliveira’s future in MotoGP, reinforces those paddock rumors with unconfirmed information that he is indeed heading to Yamaha’s new satellite team starting in 2025.
In fact, the mentioned Italian media goes even further, assuring that Yamaha has already chosen Miguel Oliveira to join its ranks in the MotoGP project, this time in Paolo Campinoti’s team.
The contract, if confirmed, will be signed directly between Yamaha Racing and Miguel Oliveira. This is because, as mentioned by the owner of Pramac Racing when confirming the agreement with the Japanese brand, it will precisely be the Iwata house that will have to take on the responsibilities of hiring and paying the new riders of the satellite team. This is considering that Pramac Racing will serve as an ‘extension’ of the factory Monster Energy Yamaha team, using factory-spec bikes.
The agreement will be valid for the next two years, and everything could be officialized during the British Grand Prix in early August. Before that, Yamaha will confirm Alex Rins’ continuation in the factory team alongside Fabio Quartararo.
This is an important moment for Miguel Oliveira, who, nearing his thirties, will be able to pilot for a third different manufacturer in MotoGP. After debuting and achieving five victories with KTM, moving to Aprilia in 2023 with results clearly affected by bad luck and injuries, we might see #88 changing ‘suits and helmets’ to join the new Pramac Yamaha team starting in 2025.
This could also be significant from the perspective of Yamaha’s future project in MotoGP.
We recall that starting in 2027 there will be new regulations, particularly with the entry of new 850 cc engines, and Miguel Oliveira’s experience could help Iwata’s project immediately, aiding in the evolution of the current YZR-M1, something Yamaha continues to emphasize as a priority.
In a second moment, looking beyond the two-year contract, the Portuguese rider could also play a very important role in the development of the future 850 cc M1, a bike that, if rumors are to be believed, may abandon the four-cylinder inline engine for a V4 architecture.
We now await that in the coming weeks and in the days leading up to the British Grand Prix, more news will emerge about Miguel Oliveira’s future in MotoGP, with all signs pointing to the Portuguese rider continuing his career with the new Pramac Yamaha team.
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