This is information that went somewhat unnoticed at Silverstone, in particular because the driver concerned did not show up at the start. Alex Rins, currently injured, extended for two seasons at Yamaha; for me, it's a huge risk, perhaps too big in comparison to the progress of the Iwata firm's project.
Bad timing
I can't say who, Rins or the signing, came at the worst time. Hit in the wrist at Assen, the Spaniard had to throw in the towel at the start of the British Grand Prix. Like last year, he is in the infirmary to sign his new contract. Let's get back to the point.
No matter how much I turn things around, I can't understand Yamaha's extension of Rins. No more than I understood that of Quartararo, but this time, it is not the choice of the pilot which questions me, but from the brand. Yamaha is in the process of restructuring, of course, but shows no tangible signs of progress. The 2024 season is even worse than 2023 for the blues. At the same time, last year, Fabio had already reached the podium once in a Grand Prix, and finished third in a Sprint. Alex Rins was supposed to help this “transition period”, in particular thanks to his experience stored with several manufacturers and his ability to adapt to any machine.
Rins still drove (a little) at Silverstone. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Not to mention the injuries which we will come back to later, Alex Rins did nothing exceptional in the first half of this exercise. I expected him to adapt quickly, as he did with the Honda – without waiting for a podium or a victory either, and above all, that he would not fall too far behind Fabio Quartararo.
Ultimately, the Frenchman is significantly better than him, especially since Alex did not progress in the first eight Grands Prix of the year. At the time of writing, he is in 21st place overall with only eight points, for two complete GPs missed. As a reminder, he took tenth place for his first Sunday race aboard the Honda LCR last year, a level he has never reached before this season.
You will have understood, its results raise questions. Okay, it always takes time to adapt to a MotoGP, but I didn't expect him to stay this far, even in "full health" if you can still say that after years of repeated injuries.
A key element missing
Because that's the whole problem I have with this extension. Ok, let's give him time to get used to the equipment. But from there to signing him for two more years? In my opinion, it's too risky. Firstly, because European competitors have strengthened themselves during this transfer window. Secondly, because he is not present enough to leave his mark on the Yamaha project. Since his arrival in MotoGP in 2017, he has missed 23 Grands Prix, an entire year. He only has two full seasons without the slightest absence (2018 and 2019).
Injury-prone Alex Rins. Photo: Yamaha MotoGP
How can Yamaha hand over the keys to the truck to an absent driver at this point? The situation is as critical as at Honda, and may not improve drastically before the introduction of the new regulations in 2027. What interest would the tuning fork firm have in financing a brand new machine to throw the plans in the trash? three seasons here. Frankly, I can't believe it.
Other solutions?
Perhaps there were no other candidates? I don't think so. Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez have repeatedly repeated enough that they had no leads, and I imagine, for example, that taking a younger driver would not have done more harm to Iwata's company. For what ? Because in his absence, Yamaha has no one high profile to field. Cal Crutchlow on the one hand, too old, who was already suffering in 2020, and Remy Gardner on the other, who left the championship after a year through the back door, currently seventh behind Iannone in WSBK. Gardner is courageous to come back like this, there is no doubt, but his employer should not hope for miracles. At Silverstone on Sunday, he finished one minute behind Bastianini, and more than twenty seconds behind Augusto Fernandez.
Why not trust a rider from the Moto2 championship in an era so loaded with talent? Alonso Lopez, Sergio Garcia, Ai Ogura, even, for the Japanese side – remember that it is no longer linked to Honda.
I'm not saying that Alex Rins has lost everything and that he doesn't deserve a ride in MotoGP. Just that the status of factory driver does not suit him, especially in these conditions. Had he taken Suzuki to a new level after six years behind the wheel? Even the 2020 title, within his reach, slipped through his fingers in favor of his teammate Joan Mir, that he beat him hands down again in 2021.
Alex Rins remains one of the greatest talents of the last fifteen years. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Conclusion
Let's still play the game of predictions. It pains me to say it, but I feel that this extension will be yet another failure suffered by Yamaha. At the point where this once glorious brand is, I had a hard time seeing what Alex Rins can bring, greatly hampered by his 2023 season, and who keeps going through the injury box.
Two years is a long time at the highest level. Signing Rins also means depriving oneself of one's own privilege – namely, financial power – to attract a newcomer who would be capable, if not of transforming the YZR-M1 into a war machine, to breathe new life into a team that has been stagnating for several years now.
This is just my opinion; I wish Alex Rins, one of my favorite drivers, the speediest recovery. What do you think? Can the Spaniard beat the odds? Tell me in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
