The Ilmor X3 will complete its first MotoGP laps during Friday morning's first free practice session and is also scheduled to race in the season-ending Valencian Grand Prix on October 29.

"For us the presentation of Ilmor as a new MotoGP team is very important," said Ezpeleta, boss of MotoGP commercial rights holders Dorna Sports. "I have been talking with Mario about this for years and I even visited the Ilmor facility in Northampton - I was so impressed by the quality and the technology they have there but I wasn't surprised given Ilmor's background in other motorsports.

"It's a very important moment for MotoGP, Ilmor is a very prestigious engineering company to have taken the decision to come to MotoGP and we wish them all the best. Of course they have a lot of hard work ahead of them compared to the well established teams but given all of Ilmor's experience I think they will have a good chance next year to battle the other teams, to be in the middle or maybe even better than that. I wish them all the best," he added.