Alex Rins is heading towards the end of his career as a full-time MotoGP rider at the close of the season, yet he is not ruling out an exceptional comeback. At Motegi, Rins said he would seriously consider an offer to race during 2027 if someone asked him to climb back on a MotoGP machine. The appeal remains intact for him: competing in the premier class is still something special.

Rins’ expected departure is part of a wider change at the top of the sport. Maverick Viñales, Jack Miller, Brad Binder and Franco Morbidelli are also expected to leave the premier-class grid after November’s Valencia finale. Miller and Binder are heading to WorldSBK, while Rins has hinted at a possible future project on four wheels.

Why Rins missed the 850cc prototype run

Rins revealed that he had asked Yamaha to let him ride its 850cc prototype and Pirelli tyres during the recent Red Bull Ring test, which focused on the incoming regulations. The factory used Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Jack Miller, 2027 rookie Izan Guevara and test rider Augusto Fernández instead. Rins was disappointed not to sample the new motorcycle, tyres and rules package, but says he would still consider an opportunity to try it next year.

His immediate task is the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, which is expected to be his final Japanese race as a full-time MotoGP rider. Yamaha treats the event as its home Grand Prix, having hosted Rins at its Iwata and Hamamatsu facilities beforehand. Rins’ best result of the season so far is ninth on Yamaha’s V4, but he says the team will continue to give everything through the remaining races.