Yamaha has confirmed it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sepang International Circuit team to supply YZR-M1s for the 2019 MotoGP season.
On Thursday morning the Nieto team confirmed it had reached an agreement in principle for the Sepang-backed SIC team to take over its two premier class grid slots from next year, paving the way for the expected Petronas Yamaha team.
Shorly after the Nieto team announced this, Yamaha has since confirmed it has signed an MoU with SIC that “foresees the team leasing” its machinery for the the next three years.
A statement from the Japanese marque read: “Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is pleased to confirm the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sepang International Circuit.
“The MoU between Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the Sepang International Circuit foresees the team leasing Yamaha YZR-M1 motorcycles for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship seasons as a satellite team.”
Yamaha's long-time customer Tech3 announced earlier in the year that it would be ending a 20-year association with the manufacturer, and will link up with KTM for the next three seasons instead.
Initially, the Marc VDS team was set to receive the vacant M1s as it looked to cut ties with Honda. However, it opted instead to pursue a partnership with Suzuki, only for that to fall through as internal troubles plunged the team's future into doubt.
Sepang – who backs teams in Moto2 and Moto3 – expressed an interest to expand its grand prix efforts into the premier class, with it expected to run under the Petronas banner.
Outgoing Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has been strongly linked to the team, though is still thought to be considering retirement, and will announce his future plans next week at the Sachsenring.
Current Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli is also set to join the team, with current Nieto man Alvaro Bautista and KTM's Bradley Smith thought to be in line to join the Italian should Pedrosa ultimately decide to call time on his MotoGP career.
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