In the Media: Extra WorldSBK Yamaha bikes in 2019?
Speedweek reports that Yamaha could put one or two more bikes on the grid next year
As every year, changes are brewing for the next season of both the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Supersport World Championship. With riders putting pen to paper on new contracts for the 2019 season, there’s still questions on whether new teams will be a part of either championship next year.
Speedweek.com reports on a potential change that would have effects on both championships. According to the news site, there may not be an official Yamaha team on the WorldSSP grid, with the Japanese manufacturer instead opting to centre their full attention on WorldSBK with one or two extra bikes. Yamaha R6s would remain on the WorldSSP grid run by other teams, with focus moving towards creating a path for WorldSSP riders to move to WorldSBK.
Quoting Yamaha race director Andrea Dosoli: “If we were able to bring a talented WorldSSP rider into the Superbike World Championship, that would make us happy. That's why we'd like to have one or two additional R1s on the Superbike grid. Then we could offer the best 600 rider a chance”.
Dosoli also adds: “I am not sure if we need an official team in the Supersport World Championship”. Although he admits that: “It certainly is important for us to have a reference team where we can accommodate drivers from the bLU cRU Challenge and where they can get the support they need”.
The factory-backed riders in WorldSSP this year are Lucas Mahias and Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team), fourth and fifth in the championship, respectively.
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