Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Rins’ position in MotoGP is under threat in 2026, and Scott Redding believes he is only on the grid because of his passport.
The Yamaha rider had been competitive in MotoGP when he started out with Suzuki back in 2017. He was regularly fighting for wins and podiums, finishing a career-best third in the championship in 2020.
Predict the order of the Yamaha riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
However, after Suzuki’s withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of 2022, it has been downhill for Rins’ career ever since. Joining LCR Honda, he broke his leg in a crash in 2023 and has not really recovered since then.
Rins is frequently seen still using a crutch in the paddock, and after joining Yamaha in 2024, he has not finished higher than seventh. Former MotoGP and WSBK rider Redding is therefore questioning his position as a factory rider.
Scott Redding thinks Alex Rins’ passport is keeping him at Yamaha
It is no secret that the premier class is dominated by Spanish and Italian riders. New owners Liberty Media have looked to address this, with rookies Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira bringing new nationalities to the grid in 2026.
Yet, of the 22 riders on the grid, nine are Spanish and six are Italian. Given his inconsistent results, Redding has questioned why Rins is still riding a factory Yamaha bike.
Are there too many Spanish riders on the MotoGP grid?
He said via the Full Chat YouTube channel: “There’s a few guys, and they’re all great riders. I’m not taking anything away from them, but you got guys like Alex Rins that’s on a factory Yamaha, has been for a couple of years now.
“And I kind of sit there scratching my head and I’m like, ‘Why?’ A good rider, but he’s had a lot of injuries, not consistent. And I’m like, it shouldn’t be doing that, but he’s Spanish.
“There might be a little link somewhere along the line that will maybe help it. It’s just you’ve got to play with the cards that you’re dealt. And being British, it doesn’t make it any easier, and on the fact of there is no British rider in MotoGP is absolutely crazy.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alex Rins from net worth to career stats
Alex Rins is facing his last season in MotoGP
In 2026, Rins’ struggles are continuing at Yamaha. The new V4 engine is desperately underdeveloped, with the Spaniard registering just three points thus far.
With Fabio Quartararo off to Honda in 2027, Rins hopes Yamaha focus more on him and his technical feedback. But the 30-year-old’s future with the team is not good.
Reportedly, Rins is facing his ‘last season in MotoGP’, as his contract expires at the end of 2026. Yamaha are already looking at several riders for 2027, with Jorge Martin already signed.
Luca Marini is linked with Yamaha, as is Moto2 star Izan Guevara. Rins will need to seriously improve his form if he is to stand any chance of staying on the grid, let alone with Yamaha.
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