PATA MAXUS YAMAHA PRIMED FOR PERFORMANCE IN 2025 WORLDSBK

After uncovering the new-look 2025 PATA MAXUS YAMAHA R1 for the first time, Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli reveal their goals for this year’s FIM Superbike World Championship season – and reflect with Team Principal Paul Denning on the combined effort to return Yamaha to the top step of the podium.

Under no illusion about the challenge ahead in the ultra-competitive championship, Yamaha Motor Europe, the team and its riders aim to fight back in 2025, having relentlessly worked on development in every area in preparation to battle at the front of the field in every round.

The most successful superbike rider of all time, six-time champion Rea’s focus remains steadfast – while working to further improve himself and concentrate on his craft, the Northern Irishman is eager to once again deliver the remarkable results and outstanding consistency that has stamped his name in the series history books.

Teammate Locatelli’s flashes of race-winning potential continue to fuel the 28-year-old Italian to go one step further and build on the clear improvement in outright speed demonstrated last year – to ultimately seal the deal on his maiden WorldSBK victory in 2025, his fifth with Yamaha’s Official Team.

With clear ambition and the unwavering support of a winning team, bolstered by a strong roster of partners, anything is possible for these highly talented and motivated riders.

Celebrating an exceptional ten years with Yamaha in WorldSBK, Italy’s number one snack manufacturer Pata Snack with its renowned owner Remo Gobbi lead the team’s household name identity once again in 2025 – proudly joined by new co-title partner Harris MAXUS, a brand of the leading commercial vehicle distribution company in the UK and Ireland, the Harris Group.

Continuing to partner Yamaha and the team at the highest level of production motorcycle racing is global powerhouse Monster Energy, as well as Official Technology Partner Ampito Group and long-term Official FX Partner Corpay.

Mirroring the team’s unwavering dedication to delivering on and off-track, it is a pleasure to welcome key partners Square Brick Investments, GP Titan Tech and Symes Wealth Management. Further proudly committed returning partners include Yamaha Indonesia “Semakin Di Depan”, Akrapovic, Pro-Bolt, Hel Performance, Solace Cyber, GB Racing, Total Energies, Specialist Risk Group, Ferodo, WRS and valued support from Sapphire Vehicle Services.

Straight from the studio to the circuit, PATA MAXUS YAMAHA and its riders continue pre-season testing today with three days of running scheduled at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão, Portugal), in preparation for the opening round at Phillip Island, Australia, next month from 21-23 February.

Paul Denning – Team Principal, Pata Maxus Yamaha:

“The 2024 WorldSBK season did not deliver what Yamaha, the team, our riders or our partners expected, but the new 2025 season gives us an opportunity to truly fight back. Yamaha has demonstrated its commitment to the WorldSBK platform and to the R1, as its “halo” performance track machine, by working relentlessly to develop all areas of the bike in readiness for this 2025 challenge. As a team, we have made some internal changes which are working well, the atmosphere is very positive and we feel enthused for the start of the year in Australia. Of course, we also depend on extraordinary performance levels from our riders – Jonathan and Andrea are absolutely ready and there is a deep sense of determination to fight for the maximum at every round.

"JR’s winning credentials are unprecedented but 2024 was as difficult as it could have been, so it’s a measure of the man to see how hard he has worked this winter and how motivated he clearly is for the new season. There is a quiet sense of optimism that we will be seeing a lot more of the “real JR” on the R1 through the combination of improvements to the bike, to the team and in his understanding of how to get the best from the package in his second season with Yamaha.

"Andrea took a definite step forward in speed and aggression last year, putting together some great races and impressive podiums but also making a few errors – which can easily happen at the limit. With some improvements to his R1 and second season working together with Tom O’Kane and his crew, 2025 is an important year for “Loka” to put everything together and battle consistently with the very best riders at the front of the pack. We believe in him and will continue to provide all the support we can to deliver great results.

"Finally, we are proud to have retained virtually all the team’s partners for this new season – of course Pata’s tenth consecutive year with us is a significant landmark – and to have introduced important new relationships, in particular with the Harris Group promoting its range of MAXUS commercial vehicles. Alongside key partnerships with Ampito, Corpay and Monster Energy, the team has a formidable roster of partners for whom we are eager to deliver results and value. I would like to thank every single one of our sponsors – all are stakeholders, all are vital to our performance and we are proud to represent such pro-active businesses and brands.”