Trackhouse owner Justin Marks has admitted he is disappointed to see Ai Ogura leave the team at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, with the Japanese rider set to join Yamaha’s factory squad for 2027.
Ogura joined Trackhouse in 2025 after winning the Moto2 world championship and has since established himself as one of the more consistent riders on the MotoGP grid. Marks believes the 25-year-old has developed significantly during his time with the Aprilia satellite team.
“I don’t want Ai Ogura to leave our team. I’m super-bummed out about that,” Marks said during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.
Despite his disappointment, Marks understands why Ogura has chosen to move on. He believes the opportunity to race for Yamaha’s factory team represents an important step in the rider’s career.
“I’m happy for him. These riders have to make the best decisions for their careers,” Marks said.
Marks also praised Ogura’s mentality, highlighting his ability to remain calm when the pressure increases. He believes that quality has helped the Japanese rider make the transition from Moto2 champion to a more dependable MotoGP competitor.
“He is a very even-keeled guy,” Marks explained. “When the pressure ramps up, he’s got a little place in his head where it’s just all about doing the job.”
Source: Trackhouse Racing
Ogura’s progress has been particularly notable given the crashes and inconsistent performances that occasionally affected him earlier in his career. At Trackhouse, he has developed into a much steadier presence and has regularly challenged for strong results.
Marks even suggested that Ogura could eventually return to Trackhouse in the future.
“I think that Ai’s a champion. Maybe one day he’ll come back and do it on our bikes,” he said.
For now, however, Trackhouse will look to make the most of the remaining races with Ogura before their partnership comes to an end.
Ogura’s British Grand Prix ended in disappointment when he crashed out of the main race. It was only his second DNF of the season and his first race crash, after a problem with his start device caused him to lose ground heading into Turn 1.
The retirement also cost him valuable championship points. Ogura entered the Silverstone weekend second in the standings but slipped to third following the zero-score on Sunday.
With his Yamaha move already decided, Ogura will now be aiming to finish his Trackhouse chapter strongly while continuing his bid to establish himself among MotoGP’s leading riders.
