Quartararo: “Both Yamaha and myself are putting in significant effort to establish a satellite team.”
The prospect of Yamaha securing a satellite MotoGP team for 2025 remains uncertain. However, their leading rider, Fabio Quartararo, emphasizes the significance of not only increasing the presence of M1s on the MotoGP grid but also equipping them with full factory-spec machinery.
Quartararo, who ascended from Yamaha’s previous Petronas satellite team, which had access to only one factory-spec bike, stresses the importance of expanding Yamaha’s satellite presence.
Despite VR46 seemingly leaning towards a renewal with Ducati, Pramac has unexpectedly emerged as a potential contender for the satellite Yamaha role, although no agreement has been confirmed yet.
“We, both Yamaha and myself, are putting in significant efforts to establish a satellite team. It’s of paramount importance,” Quartararo reaffirmed. “Consider the number of laps we can complete during pre-season compared to Ducati, which boasts eight bikes.
The difference is substantial. With more bikes, you can conduct more tests and gather feedback from multiple riders.”
“I don’t just refer to it as a ‘satellite team’ because, to me, it should function as an extension of the factory team. They should have access to factory bikes and support.
This is crucial for the riders,” Quartararo added. “Ultimately, your fellow riders on the same bike are your primary rivals. However, having more teammates provides additional motivation and opportunities to learn from each other.”
At present, Independent teams have the freedom to negotiate deals with any manufacturer willing to supply them with bikes. From a purely competitive standpoint, a year-old Ducati holds more appeal than a factory-spec Japanese machine, which explains the Desmosedici’s popularity.
However, Aleix Espargaro, whose Aprilia factory secured its satellite team at the expense of Yamaha when the former RNF squad switched brands, advocates for a cap on the number of bikes each manufacturer can provide.
“There should be a maximum limit on bikes. Absolutely,” he asserted. “It’s evident. Ducati enjoys numerous advantages.”
“It’s commendable what Ducati has achieved in this championship, but it’s significantly easier when you dominate almost half of the grid,” Espargaro noted.
“Therefore, it’s imperative to regulate this situation, especially in the near future. I believe the ideal solution would be to restrict each factory to four bikes, no more.”
However, implementing such a rule would lead to a reduction in grid numbers from 22 to 20, given that only five manufacturers remain in the premier class following Suzuki’s departure.
Currently, Ducati holds eight bikes on the grid, while KTM, Honda, and Aprilia each have four, with Yamaha fielding two.
