Andrea Locatelli, currently ranked fifth overall in the Superbike World Championship, has signed a contract extension with Yamaha for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The announcement comes amid speculation about the future of other Yamaha factory riders,whose contracts expire after the 2025 season. With locatelli being the only Yamaha rider in the top 10, securing his future was a clear priority for the team.

The road to Renewal

Following Toprak Razgatlioglu’s departure in 2023, Andrea Locatelli ascended to the position of Yamaha’s leading rider in the Superbike World Championship. Discussions regarding a contract extension have been ongoing for months, with both parties expressing a strong desire to continue their partnership.

Yamaha racing Chief Andrea Dosoli emphasized the importance of providing Locatelli with a competitive machine, stating, We have to prove Locatelli that our motorcycle is competitive. This commitment underscores Yamaha’s dedication to supporting Locatelli’s ambitions in the championship.

Contract Details and Rider Outlook

Despite a recent race in the Czech Republic where Locatelli finished ninth in the sprint race and second in the main race, causing him to slip from third to fifth in the overall standings, he has committed to Yamaha for the next two years.

Locatelli expressed his enthusiasm about the extension,saying:

I am happy to have signed at Yamaha for another two years.I have been with Yamaha and belief in the team and the people and want to work together because I have a lot more to work together can. the people at Yamaha believe in me, that’s crucial. Our approach will be to continue to push and try to make progress. the way we saw her this season.
Andrea Locatelli, Yamaha Rider

Locatelli’s history with Yamaha includes winning the 2020 Supersport Championship and achieving multiple podium finishes in the Superbike class.

Team’s Perspective

Road Racing Manager Niccolò Canepa highlighted Locatelli’s integration into the Yamaha racing family:

after six years now, Andrea has become a real part of the Yamaha racing family. His achievements have been extraordinary since his rookie season, and you always had the feeling that he was going up in the Superbike World Cup. This has also been shown this season, in which he took a further step forward and not only the established leading Yamaha driver has become in the championship, but also a regular leader and panel candidate. It was a priority for us to keep it for the future because we want to take the next step with the R1 in the Superbike World Championship. We are pleased that we have made an agreement that makes him one of the longest-serving Yamaha drivers in the history of the Superbike World Cup.
Niccolò Canepa, Road racing Manager

Only Noriyuki Haga has raced for Yamaha longer in the Superbike World championship.

Suzuka Eight Hours and Future Lineup

Locatelli will join the Yamaha factory team at the prestigious Suzuka Eight Hours endurance race in early August. he will team up with MotoGP driver Jack Miller and Katsuyuki Nakasuga for his debut at the event.

The future of Locatelli’s Yamaha colleagues, Jonathan Rea, Remy Gardner, and Dominique Aegerter, in the Superbike World Championship remains uncertain.