It's a revolution that will change the face of the youth categories. While Liberty Media wants to sanitize history, Dorna strikes a major technical coup: Yamaha wins the historic tender to equip Moto3 from 2028 with the engine of its YZF-R7. A decision that spells the end of 14 years of Honda-KTM domination and promises a complete overhaul of the grid.
After months of tense negotiations, the choice was made: the 689 cc inline twin from the Yamaha YZF-R7 will become the beating heart of Moto3 in 2028. According to GP One The announcement is expected this weekend in Motegi as part of the Japanese Grand Prix.
The final specifications are as follows: 90 hp (compared to 73.4 hp in series production), minimum weight of 120 kg and a maximum price of €50,000 for the complete motorcycle. A specification that made the difference compared to the proposals Honda et KTM, Yamaha having “already a perfectly adapted series engine”.
It's the end of a historic cycle. The two giants who have shared Moto3 since 2014 must pack their bags: KTM with its 8 pilot titles in 14 years, but without an economic proposal and with recent insolvency problems. Honda with 6 titles but unable to compete with the offer Yamaha .
Reduced costs and a change of philosophy for the 2028 Yamaha Moto3 version
It is a strategic earthquake that completely redistributes the cards in the pool of young talent. Lin Jarvis, the former director of Yamaha Racing, had dotted the i's and cross the t's months ago: " We are only interested in Moto3 if we can use an engine already in our catalog"
A firm position that paid off. Yamaha thus obtains a lucrative market without major development investment, while promoting its mass production.
The revolution will also be visual. With its 689 cc twin-cylinder, the future Moto3 will look more like the Moto2 current. It will be more imposing than the current 250 cc and it will be inspired by the Triumph 765 cc Moto2.
A radical change that could reshuffle the cards in recruiting young drivers. But the biggest benefit will be economic, with costs falling from €170,000 to €50,000 per machine, a reduction by a factor of 3,5 that could save many private teams.
Promotional competitions like the European Talent Cup will retain the current 250cc engines under the new name Moto4, thus creating a smoother pipeline to the Moto3.
With this masterstroke, Yamaha extends its influence over the entire pilot training course, promotes its mid-range (R7) at lower cost and weakens its rivals Honda et KTM in recruiting young talent. Dorna This marks a true technical and economic revolution. It remains to be seen whether this "low-cost" Moto3 will manage to maintain the incredible spectacle that has made it famous for 14 years.
