Six-time World Champion to step away from full time racing at the end of 2025
Six-time FIM Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea has confirmed he will step away from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2025 season, when his agreement with Yamaha Motor Europe comes to an end.
Rea’s legacy is unmatched. Since first appearing in WorldSBK as a wildcard in 2008, the Northern Irishman has started an extraordinary 459 races across 17 seasons at the pinnacle of production racing.
With 119 wins, 264 podiums, 44 pole positions, 104 fastest laps, and six world championships — secured consecutively between 2015 and 2019 on a factory Kawasaki ZX10R – Rea stands as the most decorated rider in WorldSBK history, a benchmark unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.
Previously he was runner-up in the Supersport World Championship for the Ten Kate Honda team in 2008, and runner-up in the British Superbike Championship in 2007 for the HM Plant Honda team. He was named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2016. Rea made two MotoGP starts in 2012, filling in for an injured Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda and scoring points on both occasions
Seeking fresh motivation, Rea switched to Yamaha Motor Europe’s WorldSBK outfit for 2024, ushering in a new chapter for both rider and brand. While there were glimpses of the trademark Rea speed, injuries and ill-fortune blunted momentum, making the two-year stint a testing period.
Even so, Rea, the team, and Yamaha stuck the course, showing steadfast commitment to the project — highlighted by his gritty return from a significant foot injury sustained in Australia earlier this year.
With his future now set, Rea’s focus turns to enjoying the final four rounds of 2025 before drawing the curtain on a glittering and storied WorldSBK career.
Jonathan Rea, Pata Maxus Yamaha
“After an unforgettable journey in WorldSBK, I’ve made the decision to step away from full time racing at the end of this season. It’s been an incredible ride, full of highs, challenges, and memories that will stay with me forever. I want to thank Yamaha for the opportunity to write this final chapter with them, and for their support throughout the past two seasons. Most of all, I’m grateful to the fans, my family, and everyone who’s stood by me throughout my career. Racing has given me so much, and while it’s time to close this chapter in WorldSBK, my passion for the sport will never fade.”
Andrea Dosoli, Division Manager, Motorsport Division, Yamaha Motor Europe
“Jonathan is an extremely talented rider who has done remarkable things in his 17 years racing at the highest level of production racing. He should be very proud to look back having achieved what he has during his career, as it is unlikely any rider will come close to such statistics for a long time. For many years, Jonathan was a fierce competitor for us, a rival who pushed us hard and made us improve. To fight against a rider of this level for world championships was an honour for us all. For the last two years, Jonathan was no longer our competition, but our rider. There is no escaping that our journey together has not played out how either Jonathan, nor ourselves, had hoped, but despite these tougher times, Jonathan remained committed and dedicated to our project. We will continue to push hard in our final four races together, as nothing would give us greater satisfaction than seeing this champion return to the podium before he calls time on a most wonderful WorldSBK career. We thank Jonathan for all his effort, professionalism and dedication, congratulate him on his achievements and wish him all the best for the future.”
