Stoner urges calm after Kawasaki drop-out
Added on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner: Don't Panic
Casey Stoner has admitted his surprise at Kawasaki’s withdrawal from MotoGP but insists that there is no need to hit the panic buttons ahead of the new season.
Kawasaki confirmed that they would be pulling out of the MotoGP championship with immediate effect on Friday due to financial constraints, following in the footsteps of the Honda F1 Team and Subaru’s and Suzuki’s World Rally Championship teams and leaving many questioning whether MotoGP could survive the global recession.
Questions have been raised in particular over the future of privateer teams but Stoner has brushed aside suggestions that the sport is on the brink, suggesting that Kawasaki’s withdrawal was down to more than money.
“It’s shocking to be honest, I really didn’t expect it. We are trying to keep as many bikes on the grid as possible. I miss the days when there were 25-30 bikes on the grid,” said the Australian.
“But Kawasaki leaving isn’t a reason for everyone to start panicking. I think they are leaving not just because of financial reasons.”
Whilst there is little doubt that budget concerns are the main factor in Kawasaki’s decision, there is also the suggestion that company bosses considered the poor performances of the Kawasaki Racing Team to be bad for the manufacturer’s image.
The 22-year-old also doubted whether a pay cut for riders would help MotoGP during the crisis.
“It’s not me that needs to give a handout,” he added. “It’s not me sapping the sport. (Money) isn’t why I’m in the sport.”
The 23-year-old, who finished second last season behind Italian Valentino Rossi, is currently recovering from off-season surgery on his right hand and away from the financial talk, the 2007 champion admitted that the progress hasn’t been quite as swift as he had hoped.
“So far everything is good. The bone is healing perfectly. I have to take it easy for the next month or so. I don’t know if I’m behind schedule but I’m not as far on as I thought I would be,” he said.
