P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrea Locatelli took a positive first impression of sharing the Yamaha WorldSBK box with Xavi Vierge.
Andrea Locatelli has solidified his role as the leader of Yamaha’s World Superbike (WorldSBK) team since 2024, recently welcoming a third new teammate within the span of five years.
After a dominant performance in the WorldSSP championship in 2020, Locatelli moved up to Yamaha’s factory WorldSBK team in 2021.
Despite the competitiveness of Yamaha’s R1 declining, Locatelli secured a significant victory in the 2025 Dutch Round, marking a rare win for the bike since Toprak Razgatlioglu’s departure to BMW in 2024.
Jonathan Rea, considered the greatest rider in WorldSBK history, struggled to find success on the R1 following Razgatlioglu’s exit, while Locatelli showcased strength in comparison during their time together at Yamaha.
With the retirement of Rea at the conclusion of the 2025 season, Yamaha sought a rider to complement Locatelli rather than replace him, ultimately choosing Xavi Vierge for the role.
Looking ahead, Locatelli expressed optimism about working with Vierge, noting similarities in their riding styles and a positive outlook for their collaboration on-track in the upcoming season.
