MotoGP aims for four bikes per manufacturer and 24-strong grid

This year's grid of 21 is dominated by eight Ducatis, with six satellite entries accompanying the two factory Desmosedici GPs, while Honda with three and Yamaha with two also supply independent machines.

The two latest additions to the paddock, Suzuki and Aprilia, currently focus on their factory programmes.

Suzuki now seems unlikely to supply a satellite team in 2017, with LCR having appeared the most likely option, but is reported to have started discussions with what is currently Pramac Ducati about 2018.

KTM's incoming programme will take the grid to 23 bikes from six manufacturers, while a plan to issue a 24th licence was shelved earlier this year.

But MotoGP promoter Dorna's CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta underlined the goal was still a 24-bike field equally split between six brands.

"This is our dream, to have six manufacturers with four bikes each," he said.

"We are trying to make the rules, economical and commercial, that will help.

"We want to see every manufacturer with four bikes."

Improved financial terms are at the heart of a new deal between Dorna and the International Road-Racing Teams Association covering the structure and promotion of MotoGP.

Tech3 Yamaha boss and IRTA president Herve Poncharal believes the fresh contract will help satellite teams strike new or better deals with factories.

"This is clearly an opportunity in MotoGP for every single independent team to see what's the best option," he said.

"The six manufacturers now being in the championship from '17 to '21 are going to make the show more exciting but also the life of the MotoGP independent team managers easier.

"[There will be] more possibilities to fight and of course the ideal scenario will be to have six manufacturers and each of them has a full factory team and a satellite team, which will make 24 entries.

"All of us independent teams will have an exciting mission to work together with our factory to be the junior team, or to explore different marketing possibilities."