Honda deny “done deal” for Stoner
Added on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Honda deny “done deal” for Stoner
Repsol Honda bosses have denied that they have concluded a deal with Casey Stoner for the 2011 season, despite reports in Italy that a contract for 2011 had already been agreed.
Stoner, out of contract with Ducati at the end of the season, met with HRC marketing manager Livio Suppo in Jerez last week and Italy’s SportsMediaSet website claimed that Stoner had already signed with Honda, with Ducati reportedly offering nine-time world champion Rossi a two-year deal.
But Suppo has hit back at any suggestions that a deal has already been done, claiming that he anticipates prolonged discussions and negotiations, with all of the big four riders looking for new deals for next season.
“There are four great riders whose contracts are ending,” Suppo told GPOne.com.
“And it’s clear that there will be interest in at least one of them. But at this moment, everyone is talking to everyone, but no one has signed anything.”
Italy’s SportsMediaSet website claimed that Stoner had already signed with Honda, with Ducati reportedly offering nine-time world champion Rossi a two-year deal.
It’s claimed that Stoner was unhappy with Ducati’s attempts to lure Jorge Lorenzo from Yamaha last season with a reported £13m contract whilst he was battling with an illness.
“The Australian never tolerated the decision of Ducati to contact Lorenzo in the past summer during his illness,” the report claimed.
Dani Pedrosa is also out of contract with Repsol Honda at the end of the season.
