One of the most anticipated events of the upcoming MotoGP season is undoubtedly the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in the premier class. The two-time Superbike World Champion isn't arriving alone: Phil Marron, his favorite engineer, will be joining him on this adventure. This news speaks volumes about Yamaha's ambitions... and the Turkish rider's.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, recently confirmed at Pramac Racing Yamaha, will not change his habits: at his side, we will find Phil Brown, the Northern Irish technician who played a key role in his meteoric rise in WorldSBK.
The information was revealed by the Turkish media MotoEtkinlik, which had already announced in preview the signing of Razgatlioglu at Pramac. Brown, discreet but formidably effective, thus makes its return to the universe Yamaha , this time in MotoGP.
The common path of Razgatlioglu et Brown begins in 2019, while the Turk still rides for Puccetti Racing on a Kawasaki satellite. Together, they won their first races, laying the foundations for future domination.
In 2020, Razgatlioglu joins the official team Yamaha Pata, logically leading Brown with him. Result? A Superbike world title in 2021, then a resounding transfer to BMW Motorrad, where the duo won a second title in 2024. Their technical and human complicity is inseparable from the results obtained.
Marron, Toprak Razgatlioglu's favorite engineer, little publicized but feared
Little known to the general public, Phil Brown is a respected figure in the paddock. Before joining forces with Razgatlioglu, he worked with Eugene Laverty, even becoming his brother-in-law. Brown accompanied Laverty in his successful years, notably with Aprilia et Suzuki, where the Irishman won races and secured a vice-world champion title.
With Soil, Marron has perfected a relentless method, combining rider feel and technical rigor. Their move to MotoGP could well shake up the hierarchy.
The transfer of Brown is a strong sign: Yamaha does not want to just make up the numbers with SoilBy securing the services of the man who best understands its needs, the Japanese team maximizes its chances of success.
Because if Razgatlioglu will have to adapt to the much more demanding style of MotoGP, he will have at his side a technician who knows perfectly how to bring him to his best level. It remains to be seen whether this tandem, king of Superbike, will also be able to conquer the summits in the merciless world of prototypes MotoGP.
