Miguel Oliveira Reveals Big Ambition as He Sets Sights on Racing in Suzuka 8 Hours

Miguel Oliveira has made no secret of his desire to one day compete in the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. The Pramac Yamaha rider, currently in the thick of a high-stakes battle to secure his MotoGP future beyond 2026, views the event as a personal ambition — and potentially a career milestone — that remains unfinished business.

The Portuguese star missed out on a shot at this year’s race after a turbulent start to the 2025 season, which saw him sidelined for the first three grands prix due to injuries sustained in a high-speed collision with rookie Fermin Aldeguer in Argentina. That crash not only forced him to withdraw from key early-season races but also meant giving up his candidacy for Yamaha’s Suzuka line-up. It was a decision Oliveira made with pragmatism but not without regret.

“I would love to go to Suzuka,” Oliveira said. “But because I was injured, I spoke to [Yamaha Racing managing director] Paulo Pavesio and said: ‘If you’re in doubt between me and another rider, please take me off the list’ – and that was it. But one day, I would love to do it.”

Why Suzuka Matters So Much

The Suzuka 8 Hours is one of the most celebrated races in the world of motorcycle racing, blending the speed of superbikes with the strategy, endurance, and teamwork of long-distance events. For Japanese manufacturers, it is more than just a race — it’s a showcase of engineering pride and rider prestige.

For Honda and Yamaha, the event serves as both a technical proving ground and a cultural statement in their home country of Japan. Winning Suzuka is a badge of honor, and the rider roster is carefully curated to ensure both performance and brand image.

This year’s 8 Hours was dominated by LCR Honda MotoGP riders Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi, who secured back-to-back victories by a margin of 34.2 seconds over the all-star Yamaha squad. That Yamaha team included Oliveira’s Pramac teammate Jack Miller, WorldSBK race winner Andrea Locatelli, and Suzuka legend Katsuyuki Nakasuga.

Miller’s performance was notable — finishing runner-up to Honda in such a fiercely contested event not only boosted Yamaha’s prestige but also strengthened Miller’s standing within the factory’s broader racing program. For Oliveira, who could only watch from the sidelines, it was both inspiring and a reminder of the opportunities he missed due to injury.

Oliveira’s Conditional Contract Keeps Pressure High

While Oliveira signed a two-year deal with Pramac Yamaha in 2025, the second year of his contract — which would see him race alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2026 — is conditional. Yamaha has yet to confirm whether he will be retained, and the decision is unlikely to be made until after the season concludes.

This uncertainty means every MotoGP race for the rest of the year carries extra weight for the Portuguese rider. Performances are no longer just about scoring points for the championship — they are effectively auditions for his future.

“I think the fact that Yamaha wants to make a final decision on their line-up at the end of the season… to me, it makes it clear that they’re not 100 percent sure yet,” Oliveira admitted during the Brno round. “So, of course, any opportunity you have to show what you’re capable of, I think, is a big plus.”

With Yamaha already having locked in Razgatlioglu — a rider with both WorldSBK and MotoGP fan appeal — the second seat has become one of the most closely watched stories in the paddock. Oliveira’s main competition for that spot could well be his own teammate, Miller, who continues to rack up valuable points and impressive performances.

Suzuka as a Statement of Faith

For Oliveira, a return to the Suzuka 8 Hours would be more than just ticking a box on his career wish list. It could also serve as a powerful demonstration of Yamaha’s trust in him, especially if he were chosen to represent the brand alongside its top-tier talent in such a high-visibility event.

His absence this year wasn’t due to a lack of capability but rather the timing of his injury. In endurance racing, where adaptability, stamina, and technical feedback are just as important as outright speed, Oliveira’s smooth style and experience in multiple racing formats could make him an asset.

If Yamaha does retain him for 2026, the Suzuka 8 Hours could be a logical addition to his program, offering a unique chance to deepen his relationship with the manufacturer while adding a prestigious victory to his résumé.

Balancing Ambition and Immediate Results

The challenge for Oliveira now is to balance long-term goals, like racing at Suzuka, with the urgent need to deliver in MotoGP. Every qualifying session, every lap in race trim, and every battle on track could tip Yamaha’s decision in his favor — or against it.

His start to 2025 may have been disrupted, but the summer break has given him time to regroup both physically and mentally. With the second half of the season ahead, Oliveira knows that strong results could shift the narrative from “uncertain future” to “valuable long-term investment.”

Yamaha’s expectations are clear: they need a rider who can consistently deliver points, contribute to development feedback, and elevate the team’s profile both in MotoGP and in other racing programs like Suzuka. Oliveira’s task is to prove he can be that rider — before the final call is made.

What’s Next for Oliveira

The next few rounds will be critical for Oliveira, starting with the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, where Yamaha’s upgrades will be tested against the raw pace of Ducati and KTM machinery. A strong showing there could set the tone for the rest of his season.

In parallel, keeping an open dialogue with Yamaha management about his Suzuka ambitions could serve as a subtle but effective reminder of his commitment to the brand. Showing he is willing to represent Yamaha in multiple disciplines — from MotoGP to endurance racing — could be a deciding factor if the choice between him and Miller comes down to more than just MotoGP points.

For now, the Portuguese rider remains focused but optimistic: “Suzuka is something I’ve always wanted to do. But first, I have a job to do here in MotoGP — and that’s what I’m putting all my energy into.”

Whether Miguel Oliveira will get his chance at Suzuka in the near future remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: his determination to race there is matched only by his drive to secure his MotoGP seat. For Yamaha, the decision in both arenas could define not just Oliveira’s career, but also the team’s competitive trajectory heading into 2026…