Over the weekend Aprilia and RNF Racing confirmed their partnership for next season: the Malaysian team, led by Razlan Razali, will become the satellite team of the Noale brand.
Implicitly, this means that Yamaha will be left with only two prototypes, the two officers, which on paper should belong to Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, pending confirmation of both (Morbidelli has a valid contract, but his results make it difficult not to doubt of its continuity).
On the fact that the premier-class grid will be reduced from 24 to 22 bikes, Ezpeleta believes this number is excellent, as it is above the minimum. “For us 20 bikes are already enough for the championship, so 22 is the ideal number,” agreed Ezpeleta, speaking to Motorsport.com on Wednesday.
However, the CEO of Dorna, the MotoGP promoter, suggests that this situation will be temporary, with Yamaha soon returning to having four M1s: “Next year Yamaha will only have two bikes; the following years I don’t think so.” .
In this sense, the most logical move would be for VR46, which currently competes with Ducati, to reach an agreement to break the contract, which expires in 2024, and join forces with the Iwata brand.
As for Dorna’s relations with Suzuki, after the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer announced that it will close its doors at the end of this year, the championship boss admitted that he had reached an agreement in principle to break the contract signed there. last year, which committed the Japanese manufacturer to remain in the World Championship until 2026.
“We are talking to Suzuki and we have an agreement in principle that must be signed,” Ezpeleta revealed at the presentation of the Catalan Grand Prix, which will take place this weekend in Montmeló.
Finally, the World Championship boss praised the role of Marc Marquez, who will undergo surgery again this Thursday and who nevertheless decided to race last Sunday at Mugello.
“We have to value what Marc always does. On Saturday Marc said he would have an operation and Sunday he ran. It is worth remembering. The desire he has, as long as the operation goes well, will allow him to be at the top again. “concluded Ezpeleta.
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