Pramac says the gap has closed as Yamaha pushes to compete

Pramac Yamaha owner Paolo Campinoti believes the team’s MotoGP transition from Ducati to Yamaha will deliver results sooner than expected.

Jack Miller of Australia and Prima Pramac Yamaha rides during the Malaysia MotoGP Test at Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur on February 6, 2025. Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Pramac Yamaha team owner Paolo Campinoti is optimistic about the team’s transition from Ducati to Yamaha, expressing hope that competitive results will come “sooner than expected.” While Ducati’s Desmosedici has dominated MotoGP in recent seasons, Yamaha’s YZR-M1 has struggled, failing to secure a race victory since mid-2022.

Despite this, Campinoti remains confident that Yamaha’s investment and Pramac’s commitment will help the Japanese manufacturer return to the front of the grid. Speaking to Corriere Della Sera, he described the challenge of revitalizing Yamaha’s MotoGP project as “a great, important, beautiful challenge.”

“I hope it will be in the short-to-medium term, that the results will arrive sooner than expected,” Campinoti said.

Yamaha’s MotoGP revival underway

The addition of Pramac as Yamaha’s official satellite team marks a significant step in the manufacturer’s efforts to regain competitiveness. With factory support, Pramac has become a key part of Yamaha’s long-term MotoGP strategy, aiming to reclaim race wins and championship contention.

Campinoti highlighted early signs of progress, noting increased investment from Yamaha and the expansion of the project into Moto2, which he believes will strengthen the manufacturer’s future.

“We have already seen some signs: the Japanese are investing heavily. And then we started with Moto2. It will give us even more strength in the future,” he said.

Pramac’s role in Yamaha’s resurgence

Discussing Yamaha’s renewed commitment to MotoGP, Campinoti emphasized that the brand cannot accept a secondary role in the championship.

“From the times on the track, the gap has closed a bit. And then by methods, by resources. A company like Yamaha, which has always been the reference, cannot accept a supporting role. They will do anything to get back to the top,” he said.

Pramac’s 2025 rider lineup includes Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira in MotoGP, while Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara lead the team’s Moto2 efforts. Campinoti believes this multi-tiered approach will accelerate Yamaha’s return to competitiveness.

“And we with them, with Jack Miller, a rider I've already had; with Miguel Oliveira, a prepared guy; and with [Tony] Arbolino and [Izan] Guevara in Moto2,” he added.

A challenging start to 2025 for Pramac

Pramac’s decision to leave Ducati for Yamaha at the end of 2024 came after a highly successful stint, during which the team secured the 2023 MotoGP teams’ title and the 2024 riders’ championship with Jorge Martin. However, the transition to the YZR-M1 has presented early challenges, with results yet to match their past Ducati performances.

The team’s struggles have been further compounded by Martin’s absence due to injuries sustained in preseason crashes. The reigning MotoGP champion suffered a broken hand and foot in separate incidents, forcing him to miss the opening races of the 2025 season.

Campinoti on Martin’s misfortune

Campinoti expressed sympathy for Martin, describing his recent setbacks as a streak of bad luck.

“Jorge [Martin] is a golden boy. There is a special relationship with him. He lives a really unlucky year, everything that can go wrong goes wrong for him,” the Pramac Racing boss said.

He acknowledged that crashes are an inherent part of racing but noted that Martin’s injuries were particularly unfortunate.

“Bad luck. They are used to falling and usually don’t hurt themselves. This time in two flights he broke his hand, a foot. He will miss two more GPs,” Campinoti explained.

With Martin sidelined, his focus has shifted from defending his MotoGP crown to adapting to the Aprilia RS-GP when he returns.

“He will need time when he returns, he will have to find confidence in himself and in the Aprilia he does not know,” Campinoti said.

Ducati remains the team to beat

While Pramac and Yamaha work toward rebuilding their competitiveness, Campinoti acknowledged that Ducati remains the dominant force in MotoGP. With a well-established team and a deep talent pool, Ducati is expected to continue its winning ways.

“Ducati has a very strong, well-established team, unless they implode they will win,” Campinoti concluded.

As Pramac continues its transition, the 2025 MotoGP season is shaping up to be a crucial period for Yamaha’s resurgence. While early struggles are expected, Campinoti’s confidence in Yamaha’s long-term vision suggests that Pramac’s move away from Ducati could pay dividends in the coming years.