<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (eltoro @ Sep 9 2008, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do Japanese riders in MotoGP suffer the same 'pay rider/driver' characterizations of Japanese drivers in F1? That the only reason they get a ride in the premiere class is b/c they bring in sponsorship funding or mechanical supplies (engines, etc.)?
It is the same with F1. Sato can drive a car, but not to a F1 level. Nakajima though is another question I will talk about later. The factories like to keep one rider in the series to keep the CEO's and people giving them the money happy with a home country racer. Nakano had results in 250 to back up a reason to race in 500/MotoGP, but not enough to warrant a 10 year career in the class. Nakano really didn't bring any money I can think of. He is sponsored by some Spaniards right now IIRC. But he does bring Honda money, but back to my thing already, need to keep the Japanese happy.
Kato on the other hand was not like that. Same with Nakajima in F1. They both are/were extremely talented racers. Set fast laps and run well even with the lower equipment. Kato did not have a factory ride. He was running a Gresini Suzuki I believe. Nakajima is a ..... for Toyota, but his results have warranted his seat in F1.
It is the same with F1. Sato can drive a car, but not to a F1 level. Nakajima though is another question I will talk about later. The factories like to keep one rider in the series to keep the CEO's and people giving them the money happy with a home country racer. Nakano had results in 250 to back up a reason to race in 500/MotoGP, but not enough to warrant a 10 year career in the class. Nakano really didn't bring any money I can think of. He is sponsored by some Spaniards right now IIRC. But he does bring Honda money, but back to my thing already, need to keep the Japanese happy.
Kato on the other hand was not like that. Same with Nakajima in F1. They both are/were extremely talented racers. Set fast laps and run well even with the lower equipment. Kato did not have a factory ride. He was running a Gresini Suzuki I believe. Nakajima is a ..... for Toyota, but his results have warranted his seat in F1.
