Marco Bezzecchi
Carlo Pernat has questioned Ai Ogura’s decision to leave Trackhouse and Aprilia for Yamaha in 2027.
Ogura, 25, has so far scored 48 points in the 2026 MotoGP season, putting him eighth in the standings. He is also five points off Gresini’s Alex Marquez and six points behind Trackhouse teammate Raul Fernandez.
Earlier in the month, it was reported that Ogura will be leaving Trackhouse and the Aprilia family to join Yamaha as Alex Rins’ replacement in 2027.
The Japanese is set to partner with Jorge Martin, who is replacing the departing Fabio Quartararo.
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Carlo Pernat questions Ai Ogura’s decision to join Yamaha
Speaking recently on GPOne, Pernat was critical of Ogura’s decision to leave Trackhouse and Aprilia for Yamaha.
The 77-year-old accused the 25-year-old of thinking purely about ‘money’ over motorcycles.
Pernat also questioned why Ogura would want to leave a team like Trackhouse, who currently sit second to Aprilia in the standings, for Yamaha, who have endured a tough 2026 season so far.
Pernat said: “There is one thing I don’t understand, I don’t understand Ogura, a great Japanese rider who, in Aprilia, is achieving beautiful results with Trackhouse because of Davide Brivio, has decided to go to Yamaha next year.
“This is truly a money solution, not a motorcycle solution. Why leave Aprilia at this moment in a team like Trackhouse with a bike of that kind?
“Frankly, I don’t understand it from a sporting point of view, maybe from an economic point of view.”
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Reacting to the news of Ogura’s departure, Trackhouse team boss Davide Brivio said: “Ai has told us he’s not continuing with us next year; it’s not for me to say where he’s going.
“So yes, we potentially have one spot available for next year.”
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Davide Brivio wants ‘experienced’ rider to replace Ai Ogura
Brivio was quizzed on Ogura’s replacement and hinted that he is looking for an experienced rider to take over from the 25-year-old.
The Italian stated that due to Trackhouse now having a bike capable of challenging at the front, he would like to sign someone whom he feels can get on the podium and even win races.
As reported by Motorsport Italia, Brivio said: “I always like to work with rookies and to see them growing up.
“I feel that in the moment where Trackhouse is now, with this competitive bike, and we can try to aim for good results, it’s a time to try and get an experienced rider ready to go for the podium and to maybe try and win races.
“It looks like the bike can allow this to happen. It’s time to use this potential.”
So far, the likes of Jack Miller, Izan Guevara and Joan Mir have all been linked with a move to Trackhouse as Ogura’s replacement.
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