MotoGP looking for a 24th entry for 2017

The arrival of KTM's new factory programme will increase the field by two from this year's 21-bike entry, but the championship is keen for a further new single-bike team to bring it up to capacity.

Potential newcomers have been asked to contact teams' body IRTA by April 29 "with a concise summary of the team history and credentials".

The statement from MotoGP added: "Teams considered to be potential candidates for the entry will then be provided with further details of the conditions of participation for this class and asked to submit full details of their project.

"The final decision on the awarding of this place will be the responsibility of the selection committee comprising delegates of FIM, Dorna and IRTA."

Though the factory element of the MotoGP field has been bolstered by Suzuki's return and KTM's new programme in recent years, several private teams have left the fold.

Paul Bird Motorsport, Forward Racing, Cardion AB and Ioda have all departed in the past two years.

MotoGP has agreed a rules freeze and financial assistance package through to 2021 that it hopes will guarantee 22-24-bike fields each year.

Factory entrants Yamaha, Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, Aprilia and KTM have all been ordered to ensure they could supply two to four bikes to customer teams if required as part of the agreement.

Only Ducati - which supplies the Pramac and Avintia teams - is at full capacity in this regard at present.