The Japanese giant sets a new benchmark in Supersport history
Yamaha has once again stamped its authority on the FIM Supersport World Championship, clinching its 11th Manufacturers’ crown in 2025 thanks to the all-new Yamaha R9. The achievement not only ends Ducati’s recent dominance but also elevates Yamaha to the top of the record books as the most successful brand in WorldSSP history, edging ahead of Honda’s tally of 10 titles.
This season marked a fresh chapter for the Japanese marque. The R9, introduced for 2025, wasted no time proving its worth. Straight out of the crate, the bike was competitive and reliable, consistently showing speed across circuits and conditions. In fact, Yamaha’s return to the top step comes in the machine’s very first year of competition — a testament to the engineering behind the R9 and the caliber of the riders entrusted with it.
A Season of Supremacy
Yamaha’s campaign was nothing short of dominant, with 14 wins from 18 races. All victories came from its two front-running riders: Stefano Manzi of Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing and Can Oncu representing the Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team. Their consistency meant that no other Yamaha riders needed to contribute points — a rare scenario in a fiercely contested championship.
Manzi spearheaded the charge with nine race victories, combining his outright pace with remarkable consistency. Oncu backed him up with five wins, ensuring Yamaha’s title bid never faltered. Together, the pair formed a one-two punch that gave the R9 the dream debut Yamaha had hoped for.
It wasn’t just about the silverware, though. The results also highlight how quickly the R9 has matured into a complete race package. From handling to acceleration, the bike has answered every question posed by rival manufacturers and elevated Yamaha back to the top of the pile after three years away.
Yamaha Looks Ahead
With the 2025 crown secured, Yamaha now shifts its focus to the future. The manufacturer has made it clear the R9 project is here to stay, aiming to build on its legacy in 2026 and beyond.
Michael van Zomeren, Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“This title is a hugely significant milestone for Yamaha. To see the R9 win the Manufacturers’ Championship in its very first season is a fantastic reward for the hard work of everyone involved. From Stefano Manzi’s victory at the season opener in Australia to the 14 combined wins across the year, the R9 has delivered everything we could have hoped for.
Special thanks go to our partner teams — Pata Ten Kate Racing, Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros, and GMT94 Yamaha — for their relentless commitment, as well as to our Motorsport Division for producing such a competitive machine right from the start. With riders like Manzi, Oncu, and strong contributions from Lucas Mahias, Roberto Garcia, and Aldi Satya Mahendra, the R9 project has been a success on all fronts. Now, fingers crossed we can complete the ‘Triple Crown’ with riders’ and teams’ titles as well.”
Rider Reactions
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
“I’m proud to have been part of Yamaha’s return to the top. This project started last year when I was helping to develop the R9, and usually it takes a new bike some time to reach this level. The fact that we’re already winning is incredible. Last season was tough with the old machine, so seeing how well the R9 works now is a huge relief and a big motivation.”
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team)
“Congratulations to Yamaha on this achievement. It’s special to be part of history with the R9. I hope we can go further and fight for both the Teams’ Championship and the Riders’ title too, but we know it won’t be easy. We’ll give everything until the very end.”
Images WorldSBK
