MotoGP boss admits that 800cc has forced grid reduction
Added on Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
MotoGP boss admits that 800cc has forced grid reduction
MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has admitted that the move to 800cc bikes has contributed to the decrease in the MotoGP grid over the past two years.
With just 17 bikes now lining up on the MotoGP grid on a race weekend, Ezpeleta admitted that the reduction from 990cc to 800cc engines hasn’t helped to maintain grid numbers, but claimed that the manufacturers have to share the blame.
The move to 800cc was made in 2007 amid safety concerns and a combination of the financial crisis and increasing costs has seen rider numbers fall since then. Kawasaki pulled out of the sport at the end of the2008 season, citing the affects of the global financial crisis, whilst Suzuki has cut its involvement down to just one rider in 2011.
After a raft of cost-cutting measures came into force last year, MotoGP promoters Dorna announced that the sport will move to 1,000cc engines in 2012 and Ezpeleta hinted that the cutbacks may have been minimised had the sport not moved to 800cc.
“The manufacturers wanted the 800cc class, so it was them causing the escalation of costs that, because of the crisis, forced them to take a step back,” he told Italian magazine Motosprint. “Now not all of them can maintain their commitments because of financial problems.”
Ezepeleta was however optimistic that 2012′s move to 1,000cc engines will see Suzuki increase its programme back to two riders and that other manufacturers will be encouraged to join the paddock, with BMW thought to be preparing an entry for 2012.
“I’m still discussing with Suzuki, to convince them to field at least two bikes in 2012, with the new 1000cc class,” he added.
