2022 may seem like a long time away right now, but that hasn’t stopped the talks of a VR46 MotoGP team joining the championship circus at that time.
The news has come about after Yamaha secured its place on the grid with Dorna for the next five years. This will see the officially back Yamaha squad, and its nominated satellite team, racing on until 2026.
Talk then immediately turned to which name would be adorning the side of the satellite-backed squad. The options are two-fold at this time; Petronas SRT, the satellite torch carriers, and VR46, the Moto2 and Moto3 team backed by the VR46 brand and owned by a certain Mr Rossi.
The contract with Petronas is up for renewal at the end of this year, leaving the just slightly ajar for the VR46 outfit.
Crash.net has reported that Yamaha MotoGP boss, Lin Jarvis has confirmed that the two teams are currently in the mix for the position. He said:
"In terms of 2022, it's true that we had a three year agreement with the Petronas team, which expires at the end of this year…
"In our situation, definitely the Petronas Yamaha team have done extremely well since we started with them two years ago. Last year they won six races and their rider finished second in the championship.
"So there's no question in terms of their capabilities and capacity as a team.
Indeed, the Petronas outfit really needs no introduction. It won the Yamaha M1’s first satellite win in 2020, led much of the championship on track and in the table, and eventually just missed out on the championship crown, coming second to Joan Mir in the rider’s title.
Jarvis went on to say:
"Will VR46 enter or not? From what I understand they have an option, which expires at some time, and I believe they are seriously considering to enter.
"So Yamaha, we will discuss with the candidates that are available, which will surely be Petronas and - if they enter - VR46, because of our long term relationship also with the company and Valentino.
"Nothing has started yet. There are no negotiations shall we say on the table at this moment, but that definitely begin in April and May."
