Honda approach Stoner over 2011 ride
Added on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Honda approach Stoner over 2011 ride
Repsol Honda has been in talks with Ducati rider Casey Stoner over a ride for 2011, according to reports in Italy.
Moto.it reports that former Ducati team manager, Livio Suppo, marketing manager at HRC, has been in talks with the 2007 champion over a move to Repsol Honda for the 2011 season.
Suppo has also reportedly spoken with Stoner’s father and manager Colin, with the Aussie one of a number of riders who are out of contract at the end of the season.
The speculation comes amidst reports that HRC are losing patience with Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, with team management frustrated by Pedrosa’s performances and comments about the Honda RC212V despite pulling out all the stops to satisfy the 24-year-old.
Reports towards the end of last season also indicated that Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi is strongly considering a move to Ducati when his contract expires at the end of the season, with the world champion seemingly uncomfortable at being teammates with main title rival Jorge Lorenzo, who was also offered a big money deal by Ducati. Such a move would leave Ducati’s budget extremely stretched, to the point where Stoner may be shown the door at the Italian factory.
Both Hayden and Lorenzo are also amongst those riders who are out of contract at the end of the current season.
