In 2025, the chapter closed between Yamaha and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi’s clothing line. The split is a bittersweet farewell to an era when Rossi was the brand’s living emblem, his VR46 clothing wrapping Yamaha riders like a second skin. This year, Yamaha has chosen to sail towards new horizons with Macron, an Italian brand that will now outfit the team in racing gear.
For 2025, Yamaha had announced a significant break with the MotoGP legend, Valentino Rossi, ending their partnership for the official clothing line. Until this year, the MotoGP team of Yamaha wore outfits made by the brand VR46 de Rossi, a symbol of a fruitful and iconic collaboration. However, this season marks a turning point with the announcement of a new agreement with the Italian brand Macron, which will now take charge of manufacturing the team's official clothing.
The Yamaha team director, Maio Meregalli, explained this decision during an interview with GP One : " we seem to be cutting ties with the past. It is a consequence, but not because of the clothes. Because negotiations with the new supplier started much earlier. » This statement suggests that the change is the result of a long-planned strategy rather than a simple desire for aesthetic renewal.
Maio Meregalli: “ There is a gear change at Yamaha »
This transition is not limited to the clothing line. The partnership between VR46 de Rossi et Yamaha will no longer continue within the Moto2 team. Pramac, who exchanges Ducati salary. Yamaha , will now take charge of the manufacturer's efforts in Moto2. Meregalli specified: " Moto2 was managed by a division of Yamaha that was not the one in charge of MotoGP and was then entrusted to VR46. There is a change of speed at the moment.. The MotoGP structure will take care of it and it will be entrusted to Pramac »
Despite this separation, the personal association of Valentino Rossi with Yamaha continues, as he will continue to represent the brand as an official ambassador. However, VR46, the MotoGP team of Rossi, now strengthens its ties with Ducati. Consequently, VR46 will become the main satellite team of Ducati, thus having only one factory-spec motorcycle this year. Fabio di Giannantonio, talented rider, will drive the same machine as the factory riders Marc Marquez et Pecco Bagnaia.
This strategic reorganization allows Yamaha to focus more on its partnership with Pramac, while offering to VR46 an opportunity to work closely with Ducati, one of the main players in the MotoGP championship. This change could also influence team dynamics and the distribution of talent, with riders like By Giannantonio benefiting from increased resources through the association with the factory drivers of Ducati.
The decision to Yamaha to end the clothing collaboration with Valentino Rossi and reorienting its partnerships marks a new era for the Japanese manufacturer. With Macron now at the helm of official outfits and VR46 strengthening its ties with Ducati, Yamaha seems ready to reposition itself strategically to face the challenges of MotoGP 2025.
