If you look at the number of satellite teams owned by the manufacturer, currently MotoGP does have several inequalities which even in the case of one particular manufacturer such as Yamaha look ‘unbalanced’. Ducati has 4 teams with 8 motorbikes, 6 of which are satellite motorbikes, while Yamaha only has 2 motorbikes. Many voices want regulators and promoters to act by adopting the Regulation on Limiting the Number of Satellite Motorcycles per manufacturer. However, Dorna recently still gave a code that apparently will not implement a limit on the number of satellite motorbikes.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, recently spoke to Spanish motorsport after explaining the 2027 regulations. He spoke clearly and clearly about rumors of limiting the number of satellite teams per manufacturer. “There has been a lot of discussion regarding the number of motorbikes per manufacturer. In fact we have regulations and, if manufacturers have more satellite teams, it is because they offer better commercial opportunities to the teams.
” Today, with five constructors and six independent teams, we are in a very good period commercially. We’ve been here for years, we remember when times were different. For us, this system is very good, ” We will not discuss the number of motorbikes for 2027, because we believe it is important to maintain the vitality of the championship. If another manufacturer comes in, there is a possibility that it will be linked to one of the independent teams or not, but the idea is to maintain a situation of commercial freedom.
” I think there is no need to prohibit teams from having more or less than four motorbikes. “That still needs to be thought about, but the aim is to maintain the economic continuity of the championship,”
Meanwhile, Max Bartolini, Technical Director of Yamaha MotoGP, who was recruited from Ducati, recently explained the importance of the Satellite Team, “First of all, because they (Racers) are human and they need recovery. Then, it is difficult to organize tests with such a busy schedule. So, it is important to have satellite teams to be able to try to do more things with more riders, also to give them comparisons to adjust their choices and aspects that need to be improved”
