Leandro Mercado Extends YART Yamaha Deal for 2027 EWC Season

The Argentine rider will remain alongside Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika as YART Yamaha keeps its winning rider line-up together for the 2027 FIM Endurance World Championship.

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Leandro “Tati” Mercado will remain with the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team for the 2027 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) after signing a new one-year contract with the team.

The 34-year-old Argentine joined YART for the 2026 EWC season and quickly became an important part of the squad, adapting to the team’s Bridgestone-shod Yamaha R1 and building a strong partnership with Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika.

The trio enjoyed a strong start to the season by winning the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, before adding podium finishes at Spa and the Bol d’Or.

Their results kept YART in contention for the EWC title until the final lap of the season, with the team ultimately finishing runners-up by just four points.

Mercado arrived at YART with extensive experience across international motorcycle racing championships. He began his career in the United States, competing in the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup before becoming AMA Supersport Champion in 2009.

He later claimed the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup title in 2014 and finished runner-up in the championship in 2016. Mercado also made almost 200 appearances in the FIM Superbike World Championship before moving into endurance racing.

With Fritz and Hanika already committed to YART on multi-year agreements, Mercado’s contract extension means the team’s complete rider line-up will remain together for the 2027 season.

Mercado said the continuity gives the team an opportunity to build on the experience gained during their first season together: “I’m very happy to continue with YART. This first season with the team has been a very positive one, both personally and professionally.”

Together, we achieved some great results, including winning the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans and fighting for the championship until the very last race. Of course, there is a little disappointment that we couldn’t win the championship, but finishing second in the EWC is still a result we can be proud of,” said Mercado.

Mercado added that the objective for 2027 is to challenge for the championship once again and bring the title back to YART. Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Sporting Manager Niccolò Canepa also welcomed Mercado’s contract extension, highlighting his quick adaptation to the team and contribution to the development of the Yamaha R1.

“He came into the YART team in a difficult situation, with the number one on the bike, a new team, new tyres and everything being new to him, but he fitted into the team immediately,” said Canepa.

“He did a fantastic job in every race, made no mistakes and gave really good feedback to help us improve the bike. He is the perfect fit for the YART team, and we are really happy to continue with him.”

With all three riders now confirmed, YART Yamaha will enter the 2027 EWC season with the same rider combination that finished second in the 2026 championship.

The team will now look to build on its experience from the 2026 campaign as it aims to challenge for the EWC crown again in 2027.