Leasing.
While it's good news that Val's Uncle and the Japs have the makings of an agreement that will retain factory supported machinery, I wonder about the wisdom of allowing Yamaha to lease stuff to teams.
I thought this was the main gripe that teams and Dorna had with the manufacturers.
The cost is expensive and a waste with returned equipment invariably going to the crusher plus there's too much control over teams by the supplying factory, limiting genuine competion.
Under these new proposals, will Yamaha supply teams with motors so they can run the spec ECU package and benefit from an extra 4 litres of fuel?
Surely if they allow this, which I personally have my doubts about, they could sell the units as the engine hardware is no big secret..it's their electronic software they wish to protect? That software would would be redundant as the code controlling the sipping of 20 litres will be different to 24 litres allowed for non MSMA bikes?
As a team owner, will you be be prepared to invest in chassis to accomodate a leased M1 engine that has to be given back at the years end, when you can buy an RCV replica or Aprilia powered CRT?
Also..how is 20 litres and just 5 engines going to encourage other manufacturers to enter the series? BMW and Aprilia can't compete under the present 24 litre/12 engine stipulation.
To my mind, the new rules don't weaken the MSMA's stranglehold on proceedings they enforce it.
Electronics will become even more important than they are now, with associated costs increased, and the show will likely be even more processional.
I guess we'll have to wait for the full rulebook detail to be released before we can analyse with authority but..I'm sceptical about the benefits at this stage.
