FIM boss urges teams to look back to secure GP future
Added on Monday, January 12th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
FIM boss urges teams to look back to secure GP future
FIM President Vito Ippolito has raised concerns over the future of MotoGP and reiterated that the championship must strive to cut costs in order to protect the long-term future of the sport.
Following Kawasaki’s departure from the championship last week due to budget constraints, Ippolito issued a stark warning to the rest of the paddock that the future of the sport beyond 2009 looks bleak unless drastic measures are taken to reduce the financial burden of competing in Grand Prix racing. Of particular concern, according to the FIM chief is the financial stability of privateer teams with sponsorship funding already drying up in the wake of the financial downturn.
The manufacturers met in Japan last week to discuss cost cuts but Ippolito believes that the teams need to look back if they are to secure the sport’s future.
“The problem isn’t 2009, when one way or another we’ll manage to have a full grid, but it’s 2010,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
“There’s the risk of more defections, especially among privateers, who could leave us with just 14 bikes.
“That’s why I’ll repeat to the Japanese manufacturers the absolute need for going back to the past. That is going back to the building and selling of ‘road production prototypes’, like the ones that used to be raced in the eighties.
Ippolito also went on record to oppose moves to create more separation between MotoGP and the supporting 125cc and 250cc world championships.
“The sport needs the FIM, as motorcycling can’t be just business,” he said. “That’s why I’m openly against the split paddock set up by Dorna: the world championship isn’t just MotoGP, there are also the other series.
“Innovating is fine, but we also need to think long term and lower the costs.”
