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Will Forward Racing Receive Yamaha M1 Machines in 2016?

2016 introduces multiple changes to the premier class and things might become really interesting. Yamaha's Lin Jarvis has been talking to the German media and admitted that the house of Iwata is discussing the future of racing with Team Forward.
2015 Yamaha YZR-M1 1 photo
Photo: Yamaha
The latest rumor sees Yamaha and Forward in an even closer relationship, both stepping up their game, the former putting more pressure on the competition by throwing two extra highly-competitive machines on the grid, and the latter spending some extra money to extend its domination among non-factory teams.

However, whether Forward racing will receive M1 prototypes is still a mystery, and Jarvis is neither denying nor confirming the rumors. Talking to speedweek, he says that Yamaha is indeed considering extending the deal with Forward, but to which extent remains to be seen.

The conditions must be correct, and Forwards must have a value for Yamaha

Lin Jarvis avoided talking about the fifth and sixth prototype on the grind from 2016 on, and only said that the team leasing Yamaha technology must have a significant value for Iwata.

Well, since he 2016 season sees all the teams using spec software, Forward's value becomes more relevant. At the end of 2015 Forward will have completed two full seasons running an M1 engine with Open-class software... and the new spec ECUs will be using a version that's more or less similar to it.

This gives Forward a huge advantage even on other teams that bought bikes, such as those running Honda machinery did. Forward basically got to know how the M1 works with spec software and this might prove to be a key element for the MotoGP efforts in 2016 and beyond.

Honestly, it's hard to believe that Yamaha would offer Forward the same package Tech3 gets. Even so, if Forward (can afford and) gets a better M1 package, then the rest of their direct competition are in trouble.

Some say they might even get the bikes Tech3 is using in 2015, but until autumn draws near, we're deep in rumor territory.
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