MotoGP Grid May Lessen in 2019

Depending on the outcome of negotiations for the mooted Petronas-backed satellite Yamaha team project, MotoGP may or may not see the grid being reduced to 22 bikes in 2019.

Currently, the premier-class is currently populated by 12 two-bike teams, all of which are said to be guaranteed places on the grid based on the championship regulations. This means there is currently a total of 24 entries of MotoGP, but according to news site MotorSport may have a real possibility of slimming down to 22.

Photo Credits: MotoGP

This is because there was reportedly a team management crisis that affected the Honda customer outfit Marc VDS this year, which led to team boss Michael Bartholemy departing after a conflict with owner Michael van der Straten.

Japanese manufacturer Yamaha is also said to lost its satellite team Tech3 to KTM next year, though they will likely still be keeping the four YZR-M1s on the grid. Talks on the new Yamaha project are also rumoured to be in the advanced stage, with a potential line-up of Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli and current Honda rider Dani Pedrosa.

"The situation is not confirmed yet but I would say that talks are progressing very well," Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis told MotoGP.com when asked about a new satellite Yamaha team during the Barcelona weekend.

"I'm optimistic that we'll find a good solution, hopefully within the next couple of weeks there might be some positive news about plans for 2019 and beyond."

Photo Credits: MotoGP

It is understood that there are two opportunities for the Petronas-backed project to work.

One would involve partnering with the Angel Nieto team, but if that does not work out the project may look to building a team up from scratch. There is also a possibility of buying assets from Marc VDS.

All of these options are likely to lead to the same conclusion - a 22-bike field.

It is thus suggested that stakeholders reserve the two remaining spots for Valentino Rossi’s long-anticipated move to the MotoGP team management.

According to MotorSport, Rossi, whose VR46 organisation competes in Moto3 and Moto2, will remain a Yamaha MotoGP rider at least until the end of 2020, and has ruled out fielding a team in the premier class until then.