YART is banking on continuity for the 2027 EWC: this trio is set to dethrone BMW

YART is focusing on continuity in the 2027 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Leandro Mercado has extended his contract with the Austrian Yamaha works team for a further season. This means the successful rider line-up of Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika remains unchanged.

The 34-year-old Argentine had only joined YART ahead of the 2026 season. For ‘Tati’ Mercado, the move meant a major adjustment: he not only had to get used to a new team and the Yamaha R1, but also to the Bridgestone tyres.

He settled in quickly. Together with Fritz and Hanika, Mercado won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in their very first World Championship race as a team. Further podium finishes at Spa and the Bol d’Or followed. Right up until the season finale, YART fought to successfully defend their title, but in the end were pipped to the post by the BMW works team by just four World Championship points.

YART: Hanika, Fritz und Mercado

Foto: YART

“I’m very happy to be able to continue with YART,” said Mercado after signing the contract extension. “My first season with the team was very positive, both personally and professionally. Right from the start, the team welcomed me and made me feel part of the group. I settled in very quickly.”

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Mercado: “The goal is clear”

Despite narrowly missing out on the World Championship title, Mercado draws a positive conclusion from his first season with YART. “Together we achieved some great results, including victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We also fought for the World Championship right up to the final race.”

Nevertheless, the fact that we ultimately fell short of defending the title is a bitter pill to swallow. “Of course, there’s a bit of disappointment that we couldn’t win the championship. But second place in the EWC is still a result we can be proud of.” Above all, his personal development gives Mercado cause for optimism. After a full year together, the next step is set to follow in 2027.

“I’m very pleased with how well I’ve settled into the team, with my performance and with the progress we’ve made over the course of the season,” emphasised the former World Superbike rider. “We now have a full year’s experience together and I’m convinced we can come back even stronger.”

Mercado leaves no doubt as to the objective: “The goal for next season is clear: we want to be in contention for the World Championship again and bring the title back to YART. We’ll give it our all next year.”

Canepa praises Mercado’s flawless season

Yamaha, too, expressed great satisfaction with the Argentinian’s development. Road Racing Sporting Director Niccolo Canepa pointed out that Mercado had by no means found himself in easy circumstances when he joined the team.

Yamaha-Rennchef Niccolo Canepa

Foto: gold & goose

“He joined YART in a difficult situation. The number 1 rider was on the bike, the team was new to him, the tyres were new – in fact, everything was new,” explained Canepa. “But he slotted straight into the team.”

The Italian was particularly impressed by Mercado’s consistency: “He did a fantastic job in every race, made no mistakes and gave us very good feedback to help us further develop the bike. He’s a perfect fit for YART and we’re very happy to continue with him.”

YART heads into the 2027 season with an unchanged line-up

Whilst Mercado has initially signed for another year, Fritz and Hanika are already tied to YART through multi-year contracts. This means the full line-up of riders for the factory-backed Yamaha team is now confirmed for the upcoming EWC season.

Mercado brings a wealth of experience to the team. After starting out in the USA, he became AMA Supersport Champion in 2009. In 2014, he won the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, and two years later he finished as runner-up. The Argentine also contested almost 200 races in the World Superbike Championship before increasingly turning his attention to endurance racing.

Following the narrow defeat in the 2026 title race, the roles for the coming year are clear. YART aims to reclaim the number 1 spot. Canepa believes this is a realistic prospect with the same trio of riders: “With our three riders and the standard of our overall package, I think that’s genuinely possible.”