Marco Bezzecchi
Yamaha have left many MotoGP fans rather confused with their reported decision to now close in on a move to sign KTM Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini for the 2027 season.
The Japanese crew have been one of the most active teams in the MotoGP rider market this year following claims that Fabio Quartararo has already decided to leave Iwata at the end of his contract. Alex Rins is also out of contract in the factory Yamaha team at the end of 2026.
Yamaha are believed to have moved quickly to sign Aprilia rider Jorge Martin for their works line-up for 2027, as Quartararo has agreed to join Honda next year. It is said that Martin will sign a two-year Yamaha contract, but the identity of their second rider has seemed unclear.
As well as the reports that Bastianini is on their radar, it is said that Yamaha have made Luca Marini a great offer to join them in 2027 once his contract with Honda expires. Additionally, it is claimed that Yamaha do not rule out signing a Moto2 rider, as they would like a future star.
Who do you want as Jorge Martin’s 2027 Yamaha teammate?
MotoGP fans cannot understand why Yamaha are closing in on a deal to sign Enea Bastianini
Now, it seems that Yamaha are also closing in on a deal to sign Bastianini ahead of the Tech3 rider’s factory contract for KTM expiring. Bastianini agreed to join Tech3 in 2025 after Ducati axed him to sign Marc Marquez, as KTM were willing to offer him a two-year works contract.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career stats
A report by MOW claims Bastianini has already agreed to a half-deal with Yamaha for 2027, as the 28-year-old has already decided that he does not want to start the 850cc regulations era on a KTM. Yet many MotoGP fans cannot understand why Yamaha would sign Bastianini.
Instead, a lot of MotoGP fans reacting on Reddit to word that Bastianini seems to be bound for Yamaha in 2027 think they should prioritise a move for Marini. One MotoGP fan reacted online by noting: “I wouldn’t be mad about Marini to Yamaha. I’d have him over Bastianini”.
Another fan suggested: “[Marini and Yamaha] seems like a match made in heaven.” One fan also claimed: “Why on earth would Yamaha take Bastianini over Marini at this stage of their (lack of) development?” Marini is frequently praised for his role in developing Honda’s bike.
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One fan also struggles to see why Yamaha appeals to Bastianini. They claimed: “It’s good for Yamaha because they need riders. It’s good for Bastianini because??? Umm… money? Is no one else willing to offer him a ride? Those are the only two upsides of signing with Yamaha.”
Yamaha’s initial struggles with their V4 engine in 2026 also tempted one MotoGP fan to say: “To Yamaha isn’t exactly an upward trend in a career at the moment. Better hope the 850cc regulation changes fall their way.” MotoGP is introducing a vast regulatory overhaul in 2027.
READ MORE: 2027 MotoGP regulations explained, from 850cc engines to aero restrictions
One MotoGP fan even questioned whether Bastianini deserves to be on the MotoGP grid in 2027. They noted: “Are we sure Bastianini is even going to be around next year?” The 2020 Moto2 champion has taken seven MotoGP Grand Prix wins since his top-tier debut in 2021.
Bastianini scored all seven of his premier class race wins to date aboard a Ducati, with four for Gresini during the 2022 campaign and three for the Borgo Panigale crew’s factory team between 2023 and 2024. He has taken one Grand Prix podium since joining Tech3 last year.
The Italian took his sole rostrum aboard the KTM RC16 to date with P3 in the 2025 Catalan Grand Prix, en route to finishing his first term with Tech3 only 14th in the riders’ standings. Bastianini kicked off 2026 with P12 in the Thailand Grand Prix, as the third-best KTM rider.
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