Lin Jarvis confirms Yamaha will run 2 bikes in 2023, ‘surprised’ by RNF…

The Monster Energy Yamaha Team Principal has also claimed he was ‘surprised’ by the timing of RNF Racing's decision, as an announcement was made during a meeting between both sides.

After joining MotoGP in 2019 as Petronas Yamaha, the Razlan Razali-owned team - rebranded as WithU RNF for 2021 - remained with Yamaha for this season as part of its three-year deal.

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Of all the satellite teams currently in MotoGP, RNF Racing were the only one without a contract for 2023, meaning a decision to either stay with Yamaha or move to another manufacturer would therefore need to take place. 

And it has!

RNF will use RS-GP machines next season, marking the first time in the MotoGP era that Aprilia will have more than two bikes on the grid. 

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Jarvis said: “It’s not an Ideal situation. At Yamaha we’ve had satellite teams as far as I can remember - we’ve always had more than two bikes on the grid. 

“Of course, it’s never nice when you get to the end of a relationship. We have until the end of the season and we will remain partners [until then] together with RNF. But they took their decision to move to Aprilia for the future. 

“We respect that, but I was a little bit surprised with the announcement yesterday as the announcement was issued while we were in the meeting hearing their decision which was a little bit unusual. But we respect their decision and we’ll move on from there.”

Jarvis confirms Yamaha will have just two MotoGP bikes in 2023 as they attempt to address its top speed deficit

While RNF switching to Aprilia means the Italian manufacturer will have four bikes for the first time since the premier class became MotoGP, the same can be said for Yamaha in the sense that they’ve always had four bikes, therefore 2023 will be the first season as a two-bike outfit.

“We will have [just] two bikes on the grid next year. As I’ve said, up until now we’ve always had satellite teams,” Jarvis continued. 

“But in reality, in the MotoGP paddock every team has existing contracts with manufacturers, so at this time there are no alternatives. 

“But that’s okay for us because right now we can focus on the factory bike and getting; should we say literally getting up to speed, improving and dedicating our focus on getting our bike into shape and challenging for the championship.”

If Yamaha has ideas of returning to a four-bike set-up, then it will have to wait at least another season with potential options such as Gresini (currently in the first of a two-year deal with Ducati) and Valentino Rossi’s Mooney VR46 team (starting a three-year Ducati agreement) already under contract. Other Independent teams - such as LCR Honda, Tech3 KTM and Pramac Ducati - are also already ‘first in line’ with their existing manufacturers.