Forward Racing abandons chassis project

Forward Racing has decided to abandon its self-built MotoGP chassis project for the 2015 world championship campaign.

The Italian-based squad had initially intended to continue developing its own chassis for 2015, despite admitting it is unlikely to race any frame other than the factory-spec version supplied by Yamaha.

Forward Racing will run Yamaha’s Open class YZR-M1 again in 2015 and after a major strategic change, Yamaha will continue to supply an engine, chassis and swingarm package, having initially intended to supply a YZR-M1 motor package.

Forward used its own chassis with American Colin Edwards and Alex de Angelis during 2014. The frame was designed by ex-FTR frame specialist Mark Taylor and built by Harris Performance in the UK.

But that independent chassis project will no longer be pursued and speaking to MCN, Forward Racing boss Giovanni Cuzari said: “I think we have to leave this idea of building our frame behind.

“In 2016 everybody will be with the same electronics and I don’t think if it makes sense to spend a lot of effort to build a new chassis and swingarm when I am sure the likes of Honda and Yamaha will supply factory bikes.

“The factories will have their official bikes and the private teams will have the bike of the year before. For me that is the future of MotoGP, so it makes little sense to build own our chassis.”

Forward Racing will feature all-new line-up in 2015 with the arrival of 2011 Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl and former factory Kawasaki World Superbike rider Loris Baz.