Yamaha’s official WorldSBK teams, the factory Pata Maxus Yamaha team and the satellite GRT squad, have both unveiled their liveries for the upcoming 2026 season.

Both teams have some changes for this year, with Jonathan Rea replaced by Xavi Vierge at the factory team and Dominique Aegerter swapped for Stefano Manzi at GRT.

GRT also welcomes a new sponsor to its bike in 2026, with Secursafe Vigilanza bringing some yellow to the colour scheme.

On the factory bikes, the livery is almost unchanged from last year, with Maxus staying on as co-title sponsor alongside the Pata brand that has remained with the team since 2015 when Yamaha first re-entered WorldSBK as a factory effort.

“First love” for Vierge with Yamaha

For Vierge, a first chance to connect with the Yamaha R1 came last October at the first post-season test. He was able to ride it again in November, and again last week on 21–22 January.

The Spaniard’s first impression of the bike was clearly quite positive; he set encouraging lap times and says it was a “first love” with the R1.

“I’m so pleased to join this project with Yamaha; it is a winning project of course – the team has achieved amazing results in the past and they are hungry for more,” Vierge said.

“It is super exciting for me, the first feeling with the Pata Maxus Yamaha team has been very good and I feel like I am home because the people understand me and know what I need.

“With the R1 WorldSBK it was like a ‘first love’ and directly I felt very, very comfortable with the bike and it’s clear that my riding style fits well. So, it has been a really positive start, of course we have only had some days of testing and need to keep our feet on the ground and keep working. 

“I can learn something about the R1 from my teammate Loka [Andrea Locatelli], since he has been with this team for five years and able to get some great results. 

“Of course, my goal is also to be fighting at the front as soon as possible – but, the most important thing for me is to enjoy the process, because I believe it is the way to achieve the results we want. 

“Since the first day, I have felt like a kid every time I jump on the R1, discovering where the limit is and enjoying every moment, so I want to keep moving forward and “grow up” with Yamaha and the Crescent team as we start the new season. 

“The look of Pata Maxus Yamaha this season is amazing – one of my favourite colours is blue and as soon as I saw the new design of the R1 I was just in love and I can’t wait for everyone to see it on track in Phillip Island.”

For Andrea Locatelli, 2026 will be the first season he has entered as a WorldSBK race winner, having taken his maiden victory in Assen last year. Ultimately, he fell short of achieving third place in the championship last year, and that is something he wants to put right this time around.

“I am excited for the new WorldSBK season with Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2026,” the Italian said.

“We know that it is not always easy – every year our competitors are working hard and we have to respond by doing our very best at all races, in all conditions. 

“It’s already a long time since I started working with Yamaha and I know the R1 WorldSBK inside and out – it’s strengths and also the points where we are focused on improving to make another step forward. The Yamaha WorldSBK project continues to grow, it’s impressive that Yamaha and the team are always working to be stronger and capitalise on our potential. 

“It will be a long season with many opportunities – the target will be to fight for the victories and aim to be on the podium every weekend. 

“We were close to third in the championship last year so the goal can only be the top three. 

“I believe in this project and if we can work well, focus on the best job that we can do as a team and with Yamaha, then we can be there.”

Manzi: “We’ll take it step-by-step”

For Stefano Manzi, a rookie campaign in WorldSBK comes after a commanding run to the WorldSSP title last year.

The Italian says he wants to go ‘step-by-step’ in his first year, rather than setting results-based objectives.

“2026 will be my rookie season in WorldSBK and I’m really excited to compete in the premier class for the first time,” said Manzi.

“The feeling during the first test sessions was positive, both with the bike and with the team, so I’m looking forward to the season starting. 

“I know the level in WorldSBK is extremely high, so we’ll take it step-by-step, focusing on improving every session and getting closer each time. 

“I’d like to thank the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team and Yamaha for their trust – I’m confident we can do a good job together.”

Remy Gardner added that he wants to get back to the kind of form he enjoyed at the beginning of 2025 when he was able to get on the podium at Assen.

“I can’t wait to be back and start a new season,” he said.

“This will be my fourth year with the team and we have great chemistry, so I know we can achieve strong results together. 2025 was a demanding year: we started well and took a strong podium in Assen, but the second half of the season was more difficult, with some unfortunate accidents. 

“I feel good now and I’m confident we can enjoy a strong season together, fighting at the front and improving round by round.”