Forward Racing confirm Yamaha engines for 2014

NGM Mobile Forward Racing have officially confirmed they will be leasing Yamaha engines next season.

The Italian team become the first non MSMA MotoGP team to take advantage of Yamaha’s offer of engines to lease, and have confirmed the deal this weekend in Indianapolis.

Forward Racing will not only be leasing the M1 engines, but they will also use a Yamaha chassis, albeit with their own fairings.

However running as a non-factory bike, they will use the Magneti Marelli standard ECU supplied by Dorna and they will also be entitled to 24 litres of fuel.

Speaking to the MotoGP website, Cuzari said: “We agreed with Yamaha to lease the engine and the frame, the body of the bike, so we lease almost a complete bike from Yamaha. We have to take care of the fairing.

“We will use the ECU of Dorna, with 24-litres [of fuel], and one soft tyre more. These are the rules. They [Yamaha] are already testing the engine with the Dorna ECU, and they are very positive about this.”

Cuzari also made mention of  some of the riders he is speaking to, as the Italian squad looks to cement themselves as a power in MotoGP with their ‘non-factory M1’s’.

“I will respect my two riders now – Colin and Claudio as well – but of course I need to follow some requests from Yamaha. I’m speaking with Nicky Hayden, Aleix Espargaro, and Jonathan Rea, so with a lot of very good riders. I’m not saying I don’t have good riders. I have very good riders, but of course I have to choose the best solution for me and my supporters also… my sponsors that support me in this project.”

Silverstone is once again expected to be the decisive date in the calendar, with an announcement by Cuzari on his line up expected by then.