2028 is already slated to be an important, if not watershed year for MotoGP as there will be many significant changes to the premier class bikes. However, it will not be the only class seeing these changes, as the feeder Moto3 class will be affected. Now a rumour has surfaced that Yamaha wants to be the exclusive engine supplier for Moto3, in 2028.
The current Moto3 formula allows for different manufactures to compete. As such, we have been seeing the likes of Honda and KTM vie for glory. In more recent years, other manufacturers have “rented” the 250cc, single-cylinder KTM RC250GP 250cc bike and slapping their names on it for branding.
To keep costs under control, the rules stipulate that teams can use up to six power units over the course of a full season, with a cost cap reported to be €60,000 (MYR295,302.00). Chassis are also limited to a cap of around €85,000 (roughly MYR418,344.50).
However, the development costs borne by Honda and KTM are undoubtedly high, as no one likes to lose. As such, there is talk of turning Moto3 into a single-make race like Moto2 – where one manufacturer supplies the engines, while teams rent or buy frames, chassis, and other components rather than renting the complete bike.
If the rumours are true, we may just see Moto3 bikes using the Yamaha R7’s 689cc, twin-cylinder engine. The engines will modified for racing, of course.
It was also said that other manufacturers are interested in supplying the engines: Honda, KTM, and CFMOTO.
