Japanese culture is known for its tradition, and nowhere is this more evident than in MotoGP. For years, Yamaha and Honda honored their methods, resisting change even as they moved from the front of the grid to the back. But the hard reality is now undeniable—what once made them winning teams has become very outdated.

Last season, both manufacturers failed to secure even a single podium. Their fall from winning days only highlights just how deep the hole they had dug themselves into. But the road to redemption begins this Wednesday, as the first pre-season tests of 2025 kick off in Sepang. Yamaha, in particular, has made some significant changes to get back into competition, following their promising shakedown test where Fabio Quartararo topped the timesheets. Now, with riders like Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia present, the real test will begin.

Yamaha's Gamble

This year, Yamaha has four bikes on the grid. After two seasons of running just two bikes, the Japanese manufacturer is bringing four factory bikes, a move that is much needed. Their decision to let their satellite team collapse in previous years, due to an investment without guaranteed returns, turned out to be a massive miscalculation. In an era where data is important, minimizing their presence only slowed their development, leading to a loss of their M1’s core strengths.

The consequences have been visible. With limited testing feedback, Yamaha struggled to adapt, leaving Quartararo and Alex Rins finishing near the bottom of the standings in the 2024 season. However, they now have new allies in Pramac Racing. Unlike previous partnerships with RNF, Sepang Racing Team, or even their long-standing association with Tech3, this deal is set to be an actual collaboration rather than a simple supplier arrangement.

Learning from Ducati

If Yamaha has learned anything from Ducati’s dominance, they’ll treat Pramac as more than just a customer. Ducati’s approach, which allowed Jorge Martin to go head-to-head with factory star Bagnaia, has redefined how manufacturers should interact with satellite teams. Yamaha seems to be embracing this new philosophy.

“We understood that the game has changed in recent years and that we needed more bikes and official riders,” said Paolo Pavesio, who has taken over Yamaha’s racing division from Lin Jarvis. “We want to work together, as a team, to bring Yamaha back to where it deserves to be.”

Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti repeated the sentiment: “On the grid, there will be four factory bikes, completely equal. It’s about being part of the family, not just a customer.”

The days where satellite teams were treated as an afterthought are now gone. Tech3’s former boss Herve Poncharal recalls how Yamaha once viewed non-factory squads: “At that time, they didn’t think we could contribute to development. Our bikes were painted black for sponsorship, but underneath, they were last year’s factory models. We even found VR (Valentino Rossi) initials on some parts. Dovi [Andrea Dovizioso] kept pushing for updates, but we were just there to fill the grid.”

A New Era or Another False Start?

The alliance with Pramac represents a fresh start, but execution is everything here. Yamaha has made bold promises before, only to leave their partners disillusioned. Pol Espargaro, who rode for Tech3, once said: “Yamaha made me a lot of promises they never fulfilled. I would have preferred less money in exchange for better equipment.”

The mistakes of the past should not be repeated. Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi has already traveled to Yamaha’s headquarters, hoping to ensure the full commitment from the Japanese factory. He believes Max Bartolini, Yamaha’s new technical director and a former Ducati man, will be instrumental in closing the gap.

“Max has given them a more complete vision,” Borsoi explains. “There’s no need to reinvent anything—just replicate what works. If we apply Ducati’s method, we can accelerate the process of making Yamaha competitive again.”

Yamaha’s 2025 MotoGP launch sent a clear message: both factory and satellite riders stood on the same stage, united. Now, all that remains is to prove that this isn’t just a show, but the start of a genuine redemption.