Tech 3 to run Yamaha 800cc bike in 2011

Ben Spies’ Tech 3 Yamaha squad will definitely race a factory-backed Yamaha YZR-M1 800cc machine in 2011.

MotoGP has been engulfed by persistent rumours that some independent teams will ditch their current 800cc four-stroke bikes in favour of a cheaper production-based 1000cc motor next season.   

The bleak economic climate has made it increasingly difficult for independent teams to raise enough budget to meet extortionate 800cc lease costs.

But Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal reckons the French team will definitely run two YZR-M1 800cc machines next season.     

“In 2011 we will definitely be racing an 800cc YZR-M1. This was already clarified by Yamaha at the first race in Qatar,” said Poncharal, who didn’t rule out some rival teams racing their own 1000cc bikes in 2011.

MotoGP will switch to a 1000cc format in 2012 with a maximum cylinder bore of 81mm in a bid to bolster dwindling grid numbers.

Poncharal told MCN: “At the moment all the plans for the new rules are from 2012 but we always need to be flexible. The current four manufacturers involved can’t provide more than 17 bikes, so we could do 2011 with the same number.

“It all depends on the economy because it looks like the four factory teams will remain but that’s only eight bikes. The key to have the same grid is the independent teams.

“Will the independent teams have the budget big enough to still lease the bikes next year? We can’t have less than 17 bikes on the grid but if a team can’t afford the lease fee we need to have a solution.”