Interview: Hans Corvers – “Our world championship starts now”

Yamaha’s factory MXGP team is showing promising signs of revival under the leadership of Hans Corvers as the 2026 season gains momentum. Following a difficult 2025 campaign, the team has made significant strides, highlighted by Tim Gajser’s first race win in Yamaha colours. Despite a serious crash that resulted in broken ribs, Gajser demonstrated remarkable resilience and speed, securing three podiums in five rounds and signalling a newfound confidence on the bike. Corvers described this breakthrough as the true beginning of their world championship challenge. The team’s progress extends beyond Gajser, with Maxime Renaux also displaying commendable determination, particularly during a recent race where he narrowly missed the podium. Renaux battled through illness and significant weight loss during the event, underscoring the physical challenges both riders have endured. Corvers emphasised that the team’s realistic goal was to achieve consistent top-five finishes given these setbacks, making Renaux’s performance all the more encouraging. Behind the scenes, Yamaha and the Kemea team have undertaken substantial changes to improve performance. Corvers revealed that the winter period saw a major overhaul of the team’s internal structure, including the departure of seven long-standing employees to refresh the organisation. Alongside ongoing research and development efforts, these adjustments appear to be bearing fruit, helping to restore both rider confidence and competitive pace. Corvers expressed cautious optimism that the team’s new setup is beginning to deliver tangible results. Looking ahead, the MXGP calendar features an unusually long mid-season break, allowing riders time to recover and prepare. Gajser is expected to participate in some Italian championship rounds, contingent on his recovery, while Renaux’s plans remain uncertain. Corvers highlighted the importance of this period for healing and testing, suggesting that the team will use the downtime strategically to build on their recent progress and maintain momentum for the remainder of the season.