Yamaha has finalised another key piece of its 2027 MotoGP project by appointing experienced engineer David Munoz as Jorge Martin's crew chief ahead of the Spaniard's move to the factory team next season.
Martin, who will leave Aprilia at the end of the 2026 campaign, is set to spearhead Yamaha's new era alongside rookie Ai Ogura after the Japanese manufacturer secured the reigning MotoGP world champion as Fabio Quartararo's replacement.
To help ease Martin's transition to the Yamaha M1, the factory has selected Munoz, who currently serves as Alex Rins' crew chief.
Munoz joined Yamaha's factory outfit in 2020 after being personally chosen by Valentino Rossi to replace long-time crew chief Silvano Galbusera during the nine-time world champion's final seasons in MotoGP. Before that, he worked within Rossi's VR46 project in Moto2, building a reputation as one of the paddock's most experienced engineers.
Source: Corsedimoto
Yamaha believes Munoz's familiarity with the M1 and his years of experience will help Martin adapt more quickly as the team prepares for MotoGP's new technical era.
Martin will also retain an important member of his own crew, with trusted chief mechanic David Galacho, better known in the paddock as "Malaguita", set to follow him to Yamaha. Galacho previously made the switch with Martin from Pramac Ducati to Aprilia and will once again provide continuity as the Spaniard begins a new chapter.
On the opposite side of the garage, Ogura is expected to inherit Diego Gubellini as his crew chief. Gubellini currently works with Quartararo and is tipped to remain with Yamaha after the Frenchman departs for Honda.
The appointments are part of a wider reshuffle across the MotoGP paddock as teams prepare for the 2027 season.
Among the expected changes, Pedro Acosta is set to join Ducati and work with Cristian Gabarrini, while Nicolo Bulega is widely expected to move to VR46 alongside Fermin Aldeguer. Joan Mir is also tipped to reunite with Frankie Carchedi at Gresini, the crew chief who guided him to the 2020 MotoGP world title at Suzuki, although several of those technical line-ups are still awaiting official confirmation.
For Yamaha, however, the priority is clear. By pairing Martin with one of its most experienced engineers and allowing him to retain a trusted member of his existing crew, the manufacturer hopes to give its star signing the strongest possible foundation as it begins a new chapter in 2027.
