Yamaha has announced it will part ways with long-time customer outfit Tech3 at the end of the 2018 MotoGP season.
The Japanese manufacturer and the French independent team joined forces back in 1999 in the 250cc class, with Olivier Jacque and Shinya Nakano finishing first and second in the championship in 2000.
Tech3 stepped up to the premier class for 2001 while also continuing its effort in the intermediate category.
In recent years, Tech3 has proven to be one of the strongest satellite outfits on the MotoGP grid, with the team taking fourth in the teams' standings last season after riders Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger tallied up four podiums between them.
“To summarize 20 years of an incredible partnership between Tech3 and Yamaha in a few words is a very difficult mission,” Tech3 boss Herve Poncehral said.
“Since I first met Mr. Ito in 1998, where he gave me the opportunity to join Yamaha Motor Corporation, it has been an extraordinary journey together.
“All I remember are fantastic memories, great results, an awesome atmosphere and astonishing feelings we shared with the Yamaha family, which will always be in my mind and in my heart.
“Clearly, to end that kind of partnership is a big decision for me. All I want to say is more than a huge thank you to Yamaha, to Mr [Kouichi] Tsuji, Mr Tsuya, Mr [Lin] Jarvis and Mr Nakajima, plus all the guys that have been supporting and helping us.”
Tech3's future in Yamaha has been in question for some time, with Poncheral confirming during the Valencia test that Yamaha would withdraw its support once Valentino Rossi brought his team into the premier class.
Poncheral admits a deal which Tech3 “has been waiting for” since it was founded has been offered, though details of which are yet to be revealed.
“Tech3 is a small company, which has to think about the future and has to weigh the different options,” the Frenchman added.
“We've been offered a deal that includes something we've been waiting for almost since we started Tech3 and I couldn't say no.
“But, obviously, we are the Monster Yamaha Team until the last lap of the Valencia GP 2018. Johann Zarco and Hafizh Syahrin will be fighting for top positions and without a doubt, Yamaha can count on us to be a loyal performance partner.”
Yamaha is yet to decide if it will supply a satellite team next year.
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