Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Head to Yamaha's Home Grand Prix in Japan

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled to Japan for Yamaha's home race, held this weekend at the Mobility Resort Motegi. Before the on-track action begins, Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins joined three of their fellow Yamaha riders for a visit to Yamaha Motor Company's headquarters in Iwata, strengthening the connection between Yamaha's racing activities and the people behind them.

Mobility Resort Motegi (Japan), 30th September 2026

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are in high spirits ahead of the Grand Prix of Japan, Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. This event always holds extra significance for the team as it is Yamaha's home Grand Prix.

Fabio Quartararo arrives at the Mobility Resort Motegi holding 15th position in the championship standings with 61 points. The Frenchman showed encouraging pace during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend and is determined to continue building on those positives. Motegi has previously delivered one MotoGP podium for Quartararo, who secured second place at the Japanese venue in 2019.

Álex Rins currently occupies 20th place in the championship standings with 24 points. The Spaniard has enjoyed some results in Japan throughout his Grand Prix career – his best was a third place in MotoGP in 2018 – and is motivated to make the most of Yamaha's home event. Together with the team, he remains focused on continuing the development work that has been ongoing throughout the season.

The Mobility Resort Motegi circuit first joined the MotoGP calendar in 1999 and remains one of the championship's most iconic venues. The 4.8 km track features six left and eight right corners and is renowned for its hard-braking zones, stop-and-go layout, and overtaking opportunities, creating unique technical demands for riders and teams alike.

The Grand Prix of Japan is held in the GMT+9 time zone. FP1 will take place on Friday from 10:45-11:30 local track time and Practice will be held from 15:00-16:00. On Saturday, FP2 will be held from 10:10-10:40, and the qualifying sessions from 10:50-11:30, followed by the 12-lap Sprint at 15:00. On Sunday, Warm Up is held from 09:40-09:50 and the 24-lap Race starts at 14:00.

Before turning their attention to the race weekend, Quartararo and Rins visited Yamaha Motor Company's headquarters in Iwata today alongside Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 rider Izan Guevara. The five riders received a warm welcome at Yamaha's Communication Plaza, where they took part in a special Q&A event and met with Yamaha Motor Company President Motofumi Shitara. The visit provided an opportunity for the riders to connect with the employees whose work supports Yamaha's racing efforts around the world.

After the official Yamaha programme, the teammates' schedules diverge. Rins remains in the Iwata area, visiting Yamaha's Toyooka Factory. Quartararo travels to Tokyo for a series of MotoGP-organised promotional activities, including a fan Q&A session, an autograph signing, and official rider photographs before making his way to Motegi.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director

"After a one-week break, everyone is ready to get back to work. We are heading into the always busy overseas schedule in Asia and Oceania. However, our focus is currently fully on the first one: the Japanese GP. This is always a special round for Yamaha because it is our home race, and our riders' visit to Yamaha Motor Company's headquarters beforehand makes that connection even more tangible. We know the Motegi circuit presents its own challenges, but we approach the weekend with determination and the goal of achieving the best result possible while continuing our development work."

FABIO QUARTARARO
Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"I'm always happy to come to Japan: it's not just Yamaha's home Grand Prix but in general there's always a special atmosphere around the event. We always take the opportunity to visit Yamaha Motor Company's headquarters before the race and meet the people who work behind the scenes. And as usual, we will give it our maximum to do them proud. The goal at Motegi remains the same: keep working hard, improve where we can, and get the best result possible."

ÁLEX RINS
Rider, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"It's always a pleasure to come to Japan, especially for Yamaha's home Grand Prix. I really enjoy spending time here because the local MotoGP fans and the Yamaha employees are so passionate about motorsport. It gives us all an extra boost. Motegi is a track I like and one that has given me good memories in the past. We know it won't be an easy weekend, but we have clear objectives, and I'm looking forward to getting started. Let's see what we can do."

Links & Download

Japanese GP | Michelin Race Guide

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