On the eve of the Portuguese Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Dutch outfit Hutten Metaal Racing will cease to be Yamaha’s official MX2 team at the end of the 2026 season.
Since the start of the 2024 campaign, Hutten Metaal Racing has been responsible for running Yamaha’s factory MX2 program, taking over the role after Hans Corvers and the Kemea Yamaha structure assumed responsibility for the manufacturer’s MXGP effort. However, that partnership is now set to come to an end once the current season concludes.
«Unfortunately, a difference in strategic vision has emerged between us and Yamaha. Yamaha would have loved to continue working with us, but due to new internal changes, our collaboration will end at the close of this year. Having said that, I am extremely grateful for the ten years we have worked so closely together,» said team owner Winn Hutten.
Despite the split, Hutten made it clear that this does not signal the end of the team. Instead, the Dutch squad will look for a new manufacturer in order to remain in the Grand Prix paddock and continue pursuing its ultimate goal.
«My dream has always been to become World Champion, and that dream is still very much alive. We have spent ten years working towards it. We started at national level, then enjoyed success in the European Championship, including three EMX250 titles. After that, we reached Grand Prix podiums, but we are still missing the World Championship title. That is the one achievement I still want more than anything else.
With the right manufacturer by our side, we want to keep chasing that dream. But if the right opportunity does not come along, I will walk away, sell everything, and you will probably find me spending a lot of time on the golf course next year. Then it will have been a fantastic adventure.»
The Hutten Metaal Monster Energy Yamaha team currently fields Latvian brothers Janis and Karlis Reisulis. It remains to be seen whether this change will also impact their future relationship with Yamaha or if they will continue under the manufacturer’s new MX2 plans. For now, Yamaha has yet to officially announce how its MX2 project will be structured beyond 2026.
