YART and Yamaha Racing Team Reveal Retro Red & White Livery for 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

Yamaha factory teams YART and YRT aim for the Suzuka podium, returning in red and white for the first time in six years.

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Yamaha is going all out for its 70th anniversary celebration, and what better stage to showcase that legacy than the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours. For the 46th edition of the endurance race, taking place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, both the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team and the Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) will line up with a stunning red and white livery inspired by the legendary YZF-R7.

The special livery pays homage to Yamaha’s deep-rooted racing heritage, with red and white first seen on a Yamaha race bike in 1964. It became iconic after appearing on the 1973 YZR500 (0W20) during Yamaha’s first full-season campaign in the 500cc world championship. This year’s throwback design is based on the 1999 YZF-R7, famously campaigned by Noriyuki Haga in WorldSBK, and promises to turn heads at Suzuka.

Not only will the YZF-R1 machines wear the classic red and white colours, but the full YART team, from rider leathers to garage setup and crew uniforms, will be styled in matching coordination throughout the race weekend.

“Dream Colours” for a Special Occasion

For riders Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika, and Jason O’Halloran, the opportunity to compete in this special edition livery is more than just a cosmetic change, it’s a meaningful tribute.

“Every year we run a special livery for the 8 Hours, but this one is especially beautiful,” said Fritz. “I remember Noriyuki Haga’s R7 and that number 41, it’s an honour to ride the R1 in those colours.”

Hanika added, “It’s gorgeous to look at, and I hope fans will love it too. This design reminds me of those legendary Yamaha factory machines, and we’ll do our best to live up to that legacy.”

Australian ace Jason O’Halloran echoed their sentiments: “The old R7 was such a cool design, and to celebrate Yamaha’s 70th anniversary with this look is really exciting. I can’t wait to line up at the start with this bike.”

Backed by Passion and History

YART Team Manager Mandy Kainz is especially passionate about this year’s livery. “These are my dream colours. The YZF-R7 is the bike that inspired me to join Yamaha 26 years ago, and now to race the R1 in the same scheme, it’s a gift to the fans and a personal milestone.” Kainz also shared that he proudly keeps an R7 in his office, a constant reminder of his Yamaha journey.

Both YART and YRT will be aiming for the top step of the podium at Suzuka, as Yamaha returns with a factory team entry for the first time in six years. With the symbolic red and white colours, Yamaha aims to not only celebrate its past but also mark a bold push into the future of endurance racing.

As anticipation builds for the Suzuka 8 Hours, all eyes will be on the red and white Yamahas. The only question that remains: can they deliver a win worthy of this legendary colourway?