Pramac: Toprak chose “most difficult moment” to join MotoGP

Toprak Razgatlioglu has joined MotoGP at the “most difficult moment”, according to Pramac Yamaha team director Gino Borsoi.

The reigning triple WorldSBK champion must adapt to Yamaha’s new 1000cc V4 machine, while also switching from Pirelli to Michelin tyres.

However, MotoGP will then move in the opposite direction in 2027, swapping Michelin for Pirelli alongside the introduction of 850cc engines and a ban on ride-height devices.

“[Toprak] chose the most difficult moment to come into our paddock, honestly speaking!” Borsoi said.

“From one side, it's good because he has a chance to learn our mentality, our paddock [this year].

“But on the other side, he has to adapt to Michelins, which are completely different compared to Pirelli. And then next year, you have to forget everything.

“So it's a big task, but he can do it.”

Razgatlioglu scored his first MotoGP point with a top Yamaha performance at COTA but had a tougher weekend in Spain, finishing in 19th place after serving a long lap penalty.

“He's still in the process. Not really far away, as at the beginning. His improvements are clear, but not yet enough to be ‘in-line’ with our paddock,” Borsoi said.

“He’s a nice guy, really professional and smart. As soon as we teach him something, he tries to put it in place immediately on track.

“How many months or seasons will he need to become one of the top MotoGP riders? Nobody knows. But for sure he's a talented rider, a smart rider, so I hope really soon.”

“Big talent, fresh mind”

Complicating Razgatlioglu's learning curve is that Yamaha’s new V4 is also a step behind the other manufacturers.

However, Borsoi added that Razgatlioglu’s lack of MotoGP experience can sometimes be a benefit for bike development.

“I think we have a perfect setup; one rider [Jack Miller] with experience, one without,” Borsoi said. “When the bike starts to go well for both of them, it means that we are in a good direction.

“Sometimes listening to a rider without experience of the MotoGP style also helps the technicians find a different direction, different approach, different mindset.

“So it's good to have Toprak not only because he's a big talent, but because he's a fresh mind. Not coming from the old style or old mentality.

“On the other side, Jack is good because he has experience on different factories and can give us a better feedback on the right direction.”

Yamaha’s concession status means Razgatlioglu and the other full-time M1 riders can take part in private 850cc/Pirelli tests, in addition to the official Pirelli post-race outings that start with Brno in late-June.