Marc VDS team boss Michael Bartholemy admits the Belgian outfit is in talks with Suzuki about becoming its satellite outfit in 2019, as it looks set to cut ties with Honda.
The double Moto2 world championship winners stepped up to the premier class in 2015 with Honda machinery, fielding its former intermediate class rider Scott Redding.
The team were awarded current specification RC213Vs from HRC for the '16 season when it signed factory-contracted Jack Miller.
However, that support has been withdrawn for the coming campaign after Miller switched to Pramac Ducati, with Marc VDS now running year-old bikes for Franco Morbidelli and Tom Luthi.
Disgruntled at the current situation with Honda, Bartholemy revealed in an interview with motogp.com at the Marc VDS team's '18 launch presentation that negotiations are ongoing with Suzuki.
“Suzuki is one of the manufacturers we are talking with,” he stated.
“I think last year when Honda offered us the 2017 bike [for this season], at that moment they wanted only to sign a one-year contract.
“Maybe we were a little bit disappointed that it was only for one year, as we wanted to have more support from the company.
“Now, things are changing for us and for them too.”
Bartholemy believes Marc VDS is “one of the best independent team free from 2019”, and wants a three-year deal secured by May.
“I think we must look at all the possibilities we could have,” he added.
“I don't want to decide too late, I want to have all the elements on the table in March, and then close something during April or May.
“That's the target that I have for the moment. I think we are one of the best independent teams that is free from 2019 to 2021, so let's see.
“The target is to have a partner for the next three years and to not only sign for one year. Let's see who can convince us the most for our future.”
Marc VDS is set to be one of three current satellite teams fielding different machinery in 2019, with KTM announcing a tie-up with Tech3, while Yamaha could offer support to either the Nieto or Aspar outfits.
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