Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) has announced a shock split with 2025 ASBK recruit Max Stauffer effective immediately, with the pair reaching a mutual agreement to end their partnership just five races into the 2025 season.

The 21-year-old signed with YRT at the end of last year to replace longtime factory rider Cru Halliday alongside three-time champion Mike Jones.

Stauffer is seventh in the Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) onboard the YZF-R1M, with a season-high fourth-place result coming at Phillip Island’s opening round. He finished 10th in Sydney, sixth at Queensland Raceway, ninth at Morgan Park and seventh at QR’s recent two-plus-four.

“Max has been a great ambassador for Yamaha,” stated Yamaha Racing Team manager John Redding. “We’ve appreciated his efforts and commitment during his time with us, and we part ways on the best of terms. His future is bright, and we look forward to seeing what he achieves next.”

After finishing P4 in the championship last year onboard an independent Yamaha using Motec electronics, it’s understood that Stauffer has largely struggled to adapt to the YEC kit package that YRT utilises, unable to produce the podium-type form that he had promised in previous years.

It is unclear if Yamaha Racing Team will seek a replacement to line up alongside Jones – who is currently second in the 2025 standings – for the final three rounds. Stauffer, meanwhile, has been linked to Motec-equipped Stop and Seal-owned Yamaha machinery for the season-remainder, but is yet to comment on his departure from the official team.