Alex Rins’ first season as a factory Yamaha rider in 2024 was far from ideal. Finishing 18th in the championship with only two top-10 finishes, the Spaniard struggled to find form after a difficult period plagued by injuries. A serious leg fracture in 2023 disrupted his transition to Yamaha, forcing him to miss a significant portion of that season. Just as he was beginning to rebuild, another crash at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix further complicated his progress. Now, as the 2025 season approaches, Yamaha is starting to question whether Rins can return to his best.
Pre-season testing at Sepang and Buriram offered some signs of progress, but Rins remains far from competitive with the top riders. At Buriram, he finished a disappointing 17th, well behind teammate Fabio Quartararo and the leading pack. Despite this, Rins remains optimistic about his development, expressing confidence in the work put in during testing. He acknowledged the challenges but felt that the team had made valuable progress, emphasizing that he was pleased with the improvements and his overall feeling on the bike.
Yamaha team boss Paolo Pavesio continues to back Rins, believing that he has the potential to regain his speed. Quartararo remains the clear leader of the team, but Yamaha still sees Rins as a valuable asset. However, Pavesio pointed out the unfortunate timing of Rins’ latest setback, noting that he signed a contract extension for 2025 only to suffer another injury soon after. While Rins has assured the team that his leg is fully recovered, Yamaha is keeping a close eye on his performance as they evaluate their long-term plans.
With the new season approaching, Rins faces mounting pressure to prove he can be competitive again. If he continues to struggle, Yamaha may have to reconsider its options for the future.
