Our commitment in MotoGP
TotalEnergies and MotoGP
MotoGP is the most prestigious motorbike championship in the world because it brings together the best riders in the world and the bikes used are innovative prototypes. The technological challenge is crucial and forces the teams to remain at the cutting edge of research and development.
Since 2024, the technical regulations have required participants to use a fuel made up of 40% non-fossil fuel molecules, i.e. not derived from oil refining. This means that 40% of the carbon contained in the fuel must be of the C14 isotope.
TotalEnergies has signed a multi-year technical partnership agreement with Yamaha to become the official fuel supplier to the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team. The product supplied has been tailor-made for the YZR-M1 engine, thanks to close collaboration between TotalEnergies and Yamaha Motor Co. engineering teams, and has been developed to maximise engine power and minimise fuel consumption. This solution is based on TotalEnergies' most advanced technology, in particular its “Excellium” additive technology.
Competition is of great interest to TotalEnergies' chemists and engineers because it is a formidable testing ground for fuels and lubricants. MotoGP is a fascinating testing ground, especially as the manufacturers do not all use the same fuel. Products must be developed that are specifically adapted to the characteristics and requirements of the different engines. The engineers’ job is to understand the manufacturers’ mechanical problems, interpret them and transform them into chemical formulas.
The official Yamaha team has achieved a great number of successes in MotoGP. While Giacomo Agostini gave the Japanese brand its first premier class title in 1975, six other riders have won with Yamaha: Kenny Roberts (1978, 1979 and 1980), Eddie Lawson (1984 and 1986), Wayne Rainey (1990, 1991 and 1992), Valentino Rossi (2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009), Jorge Lorenzo (2010, 2012 and 2015) and Fabio Quartararo (2021). The latter, who remains the spearhead of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, is now teamed up with Alex Rins.
The stakes for 2025
After two years without a win, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team has undergone a major overhaul in recent months to return to the successes that made it one of the benchmarks of the last decade. With the arrival of Massimo Bartolini at the head of the MotoGP project, the Japanese manufacturer's racing department has been strengthened and opened up to new European engineers. Engine specialist Luca Marmorini is working on a new V4 engine which could soon be introduced in competition. Lin Jarvis, who is leaving his position as General Manager of Yamaha Motor Racing to Paolo Pavesio this year, also succeeded last year in convincing the Pramac team to join the Yamaha family and strengthen its ranks. Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira will also be riding a Yamaha YZR - M1 this year, identical in every way to those of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins. The Iwata-based firm will need no less to challenge Ducati's dominance. Reigning world champions for the last three seasons, the Italian team will be hard to beat again this year, especially as it now lines up the two most successful riders in MotoGP with Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.
Update in March 2025
