Engine lease deals way forward for MotoGP

More projects like Kenny Roberts’ Honda deal could be a two-fold solution to some of the current financial problems hitting MotoGP teams.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta believes other teams following Roberts’ example would not only bolster MotoGP’s paltry 2007 entry list of just 19 bikes but would also help cut costs for independent teams.

American legend Roberts leases Honda RC212V engines from HRC and runs the V4 motors in his own chassis designed and built in Britain’s Formula One belt in Banbury.

Speaking to MCN at the season’s opening race in Qatar, HRC Managing Director Satoru Horiike indicated that his preference was for Honda to slash its premier class involvement in the future.

His vision was for more teams to go down the Team Roberts route and just lease engines, and that’s a view apparently shared by Ezpeleta.

“In 1992 Yamaha supplied engines to ROC and Harris and it was a solution that helped a lot. That’s what Honda is doing now with Team Roberts.

“It is a good option and been supported by us. We think it is a good idea and we want to know what Honda thinks about it.

“If this is a way we have to continue then we will put in on the table,” said Ezpeleta.