Jack Miller Joins Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2027
The team signs the rider for a two-season contract following a winless 2026 WorldSBK campaign.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Motorsports
Live Poll
Do you stay loyal to your favorite sports team even during their worst losing seasons?
Pata Maxus Yamaha looks to reset after failing to place any rider in the top ten of the 2026 WorldSBK Riders Championship. The team has signed Jack Miller to a two-season contract beginning in 2027 to lead their recovery.
Why it matters
The team struggled after competitors saw major performance gains between 2025 and 2026, while technical development on the Yamaha R1 fell short of internal goals. Pata Maxus Yamaha is now analyzing seasonal data to reverse this decline.
In 2025, Andrea Locatelli secured 14 top-five finishes across 21 races in the final seven rounds of the season. Following the team's 2026 struggles, they have secured a two-season contract with Jack Miller.
The players
Jack Miller
He is a professional motorcycle racer who intends to win a World Championship.
Andrea Locatelli
He is a professional rider who finished fourth in the 2025 WorldSBK championship standings.
Jonathan Rea
He is a veteran motorcycle racer who announced his retirement following the 2025 season.
Pata Maxus Yamaha
This is a professional motorcycle racing team currently undergoing a technical reset.
The details
Heavy rainfall during private testing hindered dry-lap performance on the Yamaha R1 platform throughout the 2026 season. The team is conducting a technical reset to address performance gaps before Jack Miller begins his tenure.
Timeline
2016 was the last time no Yamaha rider finished in the championship top ten.
2025 saw Andrea Locatelli finish fourth in the championship standings.
2026 marked the conclusion of the WorldSBK campaign.
2027 will see Jack Miller join the Pata Maxus Yamaha team.
Season Trajectory
The team matched the 2016 WorldSBK championship season performance by failing to place a rider in the top ten. This result marks a significant drop-off from the 2025 season and forces a complete technical reset ahead of the next cycle.
Fans can monitor the upcoming 2027 season for the impact of Jack Miller's two-year deal on team standings. The team's performance metrics from 2026 will serve as the baseline for the expected technical improvements.
The takeaway
The team must translate its data analysis into measurable performance gains to return to the top ten. Success for the new partnership will depend on the effectiveness of the planned technical reset.
Further reading
For more on the latest changes in the sport, visit Motorsports.
Live Poll
Do you stay loyal to your favorite sports team even during their worst losing seasons?
