The axe has fallen for Miguel Oliveira: he will not be renewed at Pramac Yamaha in 2026, the team having chosen to extend Jack Miller's contract and bring in Toprak Razgatlioglu. A decision that leaves the Portuguese rider bitter, having signed a "one-plus-one" contract that was supposed to allow him to suffer in 2025 before aiming higher.
The pilot of 30 years did not hide his disappointment on the official MotoGP website. I mean, Before Balaton, I was informed of this decision. It was a bit of a surprise. “, he admitted.
When he joined Pramac in 2024, Olive tree had accepted a long-term project:
« In 2024, I signed up for a one-year+ project where we knew that the first year was going to be a kind of apprenticeship year during which we had to suffer and probably finish some races fighting for not so worthy positions »
But between an early injury and the surprise arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu, the situation has changed.
« Unfortunately, I suffered an injury at the beginning of the season where I missed a lot of races. And then, just when I came back from that, we all knew there was another rider who had signed. It was also a surprise, an additional pressure. It was an interruption at a time when the potential was greater. But ultimately, that's how life is and we move forward »
Miguel Oliveira: “ it doesn't really reveal my true worth and abilities »
Olive tree reveals that his contract included a performance clause… which he was unable to meet. My situation was quite clear because I had a performance clause in my contract, which was not respected in partly because of the injury but also because in some races the bike was not performing well enough and I couldn't show my potential »
The Portuguese had missed four Grands Prix due to a shoulder injury, following a collision with Fermin Aldeguer in Argentina. An absence that ruined his chances of adapting to the M1. But he also points out the limits of the Yamaha .
« And anyway, finishing last is not in my plans as a driver. It doesn't really reveal my true worth and abilities. So, anyway, It was going to be difficult to continue like this »
With only 10 points in 14 innings, Olive tree quits Pramac on a disappointing record. But he does not intend to turn the page too quickly. Rumors link him to a role as a test pilot in MotoGP or a possible transfer to World Superbike from 2026. The rider remains open to all options: " the future is absolutely open to me at the momentI can't wait. But for now, that's all I can think about. »
