Paolo Campinoti reveals Valentino Rossi’s unlikely role in Pramac’s deal with Yamaha for 2025

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In the midst of the 2024 MotoGP season, Pramac made a surprise move to end their decades-long partnership with Ducati in favour of Yamaha in a multi-year deal that would see the Italian team utilise factory-spec bikes in future seasons.

As expected in the early days of such a big change for the team, things haven’t been as successful as the previous year, which saw Jorge Martin win the first riders’ championship in MotoGP with a satellite team.

Pramac have had to change their mindset and be more realistic in terms of where they should be expecting to finish once the chequered flag drops.

Fabio Quartararo is currently the only rider to record a podium for Yamaha in 2025 as the constructor languishes at the bottom of the constructors’ standings with eight rounds left to race.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Yamaha from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

Valentino Rossi turned down Yamaha’s approach to supply VR46 with bikes which led them to contact Pramac

Speaking on a recent episode of Yamaha’s The Blue Shift series on YouTube, Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti recalled how the deal regarding the satellite team’s use of factory bikes in 2025 came about after VR46 owner Valentino Rossi turned them down.

“The first opportunity to discuss this topic was in Qatar, the first race of the 2024,” Campinoti said. “There practically was Valentino who had said ‘no’ to Yamaha, and we were approached by Lin, and from there, a bit of a negotiation began, just for fun, let’s say.

“I wasn’t really that much convinced about leaving Ducati after so many years, but during these meetings and conversations, we got closer and closer and were fascinated by this project.

“The chemistry was immediately beautiful, then with Paolo Pavesio, who immediately had a great understanding, with all the Japanese part, we feel really happy about this.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Pramac from the MotoGP team’s riders to bike

Yamaha looks like they have finally sorted out their rider line-up for the 2026 MotoGP season

Following a months-long debacle regarding Pramac rider Jack Miller’s future in MotoGP, it looks as if the Australian rider’s seat at the team will be safe for at least another season.

Comments from Quartararo may have saved Miller’s seat, with the 30-year-old’s previous experience riding a V4 bike being crucial to Yamaha’s future plans as they look to transition from the inline-four layout to the more common V-configured layout.

Diogo Moreira’s desire to race in MotoGP put Miller’s seat in jeopardy, as the Japanese constructor was keen on putting their faith in a rookie for the upcoming season. However, Honda beat them to the Brazilian’s signature as he looks to be replacing Somkiat Chantra at the LCR team.

In turn, Alex Rins’ seat at the factory Yamaha squad also looks to now be safe. There were reports of Rins losing out to Miller at the Monster Energy-branded team after a 2025 campaign that has been riddled with issues.