Andrea Locatelli Joins Yamaha Factory Line-Up for 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

WorldSBK race winner makes his endurance debut alongside Nakasuga and Miller.

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Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has officially announced Andrea Locatelli as the third rider for the Yamaha Racing Team, the factory effort for the 46th edition of the FIM Endurance World Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours, set to take place in 2025.

Locatelli, who rides for the Pata Prometeon Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team, will make his highly anticipated debut at the iconic Suzuka race. He joins Katsuyuki Nakasuga, a veteran of the event, and Jack Miller, a MotoGP regular, to form a formidable trio. Together, they aim to reclaim victory for Yamaha—its first since 2018 and potentially the manufacturer’s ninth overall win at the prestigious endurance event.

Since joining Yamaha Motor Europe’s official WorldSBK team in 2021, Locatelli has become known for his consistency and technical precision. His performance this season has been exceptional, claiming his first WorldSBK win at Round 3 in the Netherlands and several other podium finishes. His efforts have earned him a contract extension until the end of 2027.

“I’m very happy to welcome Andrea to the team,” said Tetsu Ono, General Manager of Yamaha Motor’s Motorsport Strategy Division. “Nakasuga brings a wealth of 8 Hours and R1 experience, Miller adds passion and tenacity, and Locatelli brings consistency and fresh motivation. With Team Manager Wataru Yoshikawa at the helm, and the refined YZF-R1, we’re confident in our package this year, he said in a statement. 

The 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours carries extra significance for Yamaha as the company celebrates its 70th anniversary. “We want to go back and finish what we started in 2019,” Ono added, referring to Yamaha’s unfinished campaign that year. “We’re aiming for victory, with our fans behind us.”

A Dream Realised for Locatelli. “It’s an honour to be chosen for the 8 Hours,” said Locatelli. “I’ve always wanted to race at Suzuka, and doing it with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team is even more special. The track is amazing, the challenge is unique, and I can’t wait for the test and race weekend. Thank you to Yamaha for this incredible opportunity.”

A Career of Steady Ascent

Locatelli’s racing journey began with wildcard appearances in Moto3 in 2013, before joining the grid full-time in 2014. He scored two podiums in 2016 and finished ninth overall. From 2017 to 2019, he competed in Moto2, earning consistent top-15 finishes.

His breakthrough came in 2020, when he joined the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP) with the Evan Bros Yamaha Team. Locatelli dominated the series, taking 12 wins in 15 races and clinching the championship with a record 333 points.

In 2021, he moved up to WorldSBK, claiming four podiums and finishing fourth overall in his rookie season. He was awarded Rookie of the Year and helped Yamaha secure the teams’ and manufacturers’ titles. Since then, he has remained a top contender, finishing 5th in 2022, 4th in 2023, and currently holds 5th in the 2025 standings after six rounds.

His WorldSBK performances and long-standing commitment to Yamaha made him an ideal pick for the endurance debut. With Locatelli joining Nakasuga and Miller, Yamaha expect a strong push for the podium in 2025, and perhaps, a long-awaited victory at Suzuka.