Rins delivers damning verdict on Yamaha: ‘We arrived without weapons’

10:30, 17 Feb

Updated: 11:26, 17 Feb

byAndrew McLarney

Yamaha rider Alex Rins has given a damning assessment of the team's poor form in recent years and believes that he has faced an uphill battle since joining the team after Suzuki's shock closure in 2022.

Alex Rins made a name for himself at Suzuki and was considered by many to be one of the stronger riders on the grid.

With the Japanese manufacturers he managed to accumulate five race wins and a multitude of podiums as well as a 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th overall finish in the final standings between 2017-2022.

Until now we arrived at the races without weapons.

- Alex Rins, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Since joining Yamaha, things have taken a bit of a dip for both Rins and the Japanese titans. Last year, Rins placed 19th overall in the final standings and was largely outshone by teammate Fabio Quartararo.

In a recent interview with Catalan outlet L'Esportiu de Catalunya, Rins pointed to Yamaha's struggles and to the fact that despite the best efforts of himself and Quartararo, the project has still fallen somewhat short of expectations.

"Fabio Quartararo is a fantastic rider, without a doubt.He managed to raise Yamaha's level to a level that neither Jack Miller, nor Miguel Oliveira, nor I myself could reach."

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"But without wanting to diminish his talent, the bike is his creation. He has been with Yamaha for seven seasons. He knows it better than we do, and he has adapted it year after year to his own strengths."

"I've tried to make the necessary changes to have the best possible bike for me and to be able to win again. My potential is much greater than what I've been able to show in the last two years. We need to make a good base for the bike's configuration. If we achieve that and it works well, hopefully we can get back to the front. Until now we arrived at the races without weapons."

With rumours circulating that Quartararo could be leaving Yamaha for rivals Honda at the end of the year, Rins may have a chance to step up and prove himself as their lead rider for the future.

"Based on what they say, I will have to move." Said Rins, "It seems that there are riders who are in a big hurry, and time flies. It's funny how everything goes so fast, especially considering that with the new 2027 regulations all the bikes will change."

However, that seems like a difficult task, especially considering that both world champions Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin have been linked with the Japanese outfit in recent weeks.

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