YART Yamaha Eyes 2026 FIM EWC Title as Bol d’Or Finale Promises Championship Drama

YART Yamaha heads into the Bol d’Or finale with a 19-point championship lead as it targets another FIM Endurance World Championship title.

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The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team is on the verge of another historic achievement as it prepares for the 89th Bol d’Or, the final round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), at Circuit Paul Ricard in France.

Holding a 19-point advantage in the championship standings, YART Yamaha arrives at Le Castellet with a golden opportunity to claim its third world title in four years and its fourth overall. Yamaha could also complete a remarkable sweep by securing four championship crowns across both the Formula EWC and Production categories during the season finale.

Championship Battle Heads to the Final Round

Just like last season, the Bol d’Or will once again decide the FIM Endurance World Championship in dramatic fashion.

In 2025, YART entered the final race level on points with its closest rival after qualifying. While the opposing team appeared destined to take the championship, a late mechanical failure with less than 30 minutes remaining dramatically changed the outcome. YART finished second in the race, securing the world title by a single point in one of the closest championship finishes in EWC history.

This year, riders Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika and Leandro Mercado lead the standings with 112 points, while their nearest rivals sit on 93 points. Another team remains mathematically in contention with 84 points.

With a maximum of 65 championship points still available throughout qualifying and the 24-hour race, nothing has been decided yet.

Consistent Season Puts YART in Control

The #1 Bridgestone-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1 has delivered remarkable consistency throughout the 2026 campaign.

YART opened the season by taking pole position and victory at the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans before finishing second at the 8 Hours of Spa Motos. The team then battled difficult wet conditions at the Suzuka 8 Hours to finish fourth, collecting valuable points that extended its championship lead to 19.

That consistency means the defending champions have finished inside the top four at every round this season, putting them in the strongest position heading into the title decider.

Valuable Testing Ahead of Bol d’Or

Following the summer break after Suzuka, YART completed a two-day test at Circuit Paul Ricard on 1-2 September, focusing on long race simulations, suspension settings and electronics.

The team also found improvements with a revised rear shock setup, giving the riders greater confidence aboard the Yamaha R1 ahead of the championship-deciding race.

During Tuesday’s official pre-event test, however, the team experienced two incidents. Karel Hanika was involved in a multi-rider accident and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Fortunately, medical examinations confirmed he suffered no fractures.

Although the Czech rider remains sore and bruised, he is determined to compete this weekend.

Meanwhile, teammate Leandro Mercado also suffered a minor crash after encountering oil on the circuit but escaped without serious injury.

Despite the interrupted preparation, YART remains confident heading into the final race of the season.

Another Historic Milestone Within Reach

A successful title defence would secure consecutive FIM Endurance World Championship titles for YART Yamaha while marking its third championship in four seasons following victories in 2023 and 2025.

It would also be the team’s fourth world title overall after first becoming world champions in 2009.

One achievement still missing from the team’s record is victory at the legendary Bol d’Or itself, making this weekend an opportunity to complete another significant milestone.

KM99 Targets Strong Finish

Elsewhere in the Yamaha camp, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 will welcome Dutch rider Bo Bendsneyder to replace Alessandro Delbianco, who will compete in the CIV Superbike Championship at Cremona.

Bendsneyder previously raced with KM99 at Spa and Suzuka and will make his first appearance in a 24-hour EWC race alongside Randy de Puniet and Florian Marino.

After finishing 17th on its Bol d’Or debut in 2023, improving to second place in 2024 before retiring while challenging for a top-six finish in 2025, KM99 hopes to end the season on a positive note.

Yamaha Chasing Four Championship Titles

The Bol d’Or is equally important for Yamaha across multiple championship categories. Besides leading the riders’ championship with YART, Yamaha also tops the Formula EWC Manufacturers’ standings.

In the Production class, the #96 Legacy Competition Yamaha leads the FIM Endurance World Trophy with 83 points, while Yamaha also sits first in the Production Manufacturers’ standings.

If results go its way this weekend, Yamaha could leave Circuit Paul Ricard with four championship titles across both Formula EWC and Production competition.

Fritz: We Want Victory and Another Championship

Marvin Fritz believes YART has everything needed to challenge for both race victory and another world championship despite the unpredictable nature of endurance racing.

He highlighted the productive pre-race testing, the team’s consistently fast pit stops and the performance of the Yamaha R1 and Bridgestone tyres as major strengths heading into the weekend.

Fritz also admitted Hanika’s crash during testing was frightening but was relieved his teammate avoided serious injury.

Hanika Ready to Race Despite Crash

Although still recovering from Tuesday’s accident, Karel Hanika remains determined to compete. The Czech rider said the team’s recent testing helped improve the bike, particularly after changes to the rear suspension increased his confidence.

Rather than adopting a conservative approach to protect the championship lead, Hanika stressed that the team’s objective remains to win the Bol d’Or.

Mercado Focused on the Job Ahead

Leandro Mercado said the long break since Suzuka has only increased his excitement for another 24-hour race.

Despite suffering a minor crash after riding over oil during testing, the Argentine rider feels fully prepared and believes the team has found a strong setup ahead of the championship finale.

Kainz: Anything Can Happen in Endurance Racing

YART Team Manager Mandy Kainz admitted the entire team was relieved after learning Hanika escaped serious injury.

While acknowledging the team’s healthy championship lead, Kainz reminded everyone that endurance racing remains unpredictable, especially with 65 points still available.

For YART, the priority is simple, execute a clean race, minimise mistakes and fight for victory. If everything comes together, another world championship could soon be theirs.