Melandri could take gap year
Added on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Melandri is without a team following Kawasaki's decision to quit.
Marco Melandri has admitted that he could take a year off from competitive motorsport if a rescue package cannot be found for the Kawasaki Racing Team.
Melandri, along with teammate John Hopkins is currently in limbo over a ride for 2009 following Kawasaki’s decision to withdraw all factory operations from the MotoGP championship due to budgetary constraints.
The Italian, who only joined Kawasaki at the end of last season, will be unable to compete in the 2009 championship unless a rescue deal can be put together, with Jorge Martinez’s Aspar team still thought to be keen on keeping the Ninja ZX-RR racing next season.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta is also keen to keep the Kawasaki brand in the championship, with the Kawasaki still being tested in Australia despite the announcement from Kawasaki two weeks ago.
But despite the ongoing talks, Melandri, who despite a difficult season with Ducati last year is considered to be amongst the top riders in the championship, has admitted that missing the season is still a possibility.
“It wouldn’t be great but… to stop for a year would not be a huge problem,” he told Reuters.
“I’m waiting. I hope the date is not put back because it is better to know for sure that you won’t be racing, rather than carrying on with uncertainty.”
Melandri joined Kawasaki from Ducati at the end of last year. He was expected to be partnered by John Hopkins.
