Just as gossip, but it is being said at Spanish Forums that HRC divorces Repsol to get Elf as mayor Sponsor!!!
and gives de Puniet a factory seat?
and gives de Puniet a factory seat?
I think he is in need of a few wins, or podiums at least, this year before worrying about next year.
Honda might be the best fit for him though, particularly at this point in their history where winning as against public relations skills is likely to be even more of a priority than usual. They were fairly tolerant of at least one taciturn aussie in the past, albeit one who continually delivered. As others have said they do seem to be developing a casey style bike.
HRC did say at the start of last season they would be very happy to get rossi or stoner back; rossi has obviously been much the better performed since then. Rossi has also trashed honda far more than stoner ever has, with stoner not trashing them at all whilst actually under contract to a honda team, and for the last 2 years saying his problem was with the michelin tyres he ended up with on race day and with lcr not allowing him to set-up the bike as he wished, and directly saying on at least one occasion his problem was michelin not honda.
Having said all this unless relations with marlboro really do continue to be as poisonous as some have said was the case last year I think he will stay at ducati.
Contrary to what a lot of the press reported about issues with Casey's break last season, and the reported 'friction' with Phillip Morris etc... its actually, from my understanding, quiet the opposite.
Ducati realised how important Casey is to them, there was a lot of money lost when Casey could not race. Dont get me wrong they always have appreciated him but there was tangible evidence that they were in a poor position without Casey.
His subseuqent return and strong performances also vindicated any decision made.
Duke have also payrolled Caseys trainer to travel with him this whole season as well.
The current change in bike attitude and the apparent increase in its rideability will probably go against Casey in a negotiation point of view. Previously he could clearly say that no one else can ride this like me, now Hayden has shown its a lot tamer, however I expect once we get a few races under our belt we will still see Casey well clear of Niki and taking the bike to a place that probably only one other rider is able to.
When you look at the season so far its pretty interesting for Casey; Qatar showed the bike has the pace but they had an unexpected front end issue, then Jerez a Stoner bogey track started out really well, but they lost set up direction and he got a bad start, the net result was 5th at a track he has never gone overly well at.
Jerez is also a bit of a bizzare track wiht the Spainards and how well they go. In Quatar Danny was rubbish and Lorenzo was ok, they both come to Spain and they are like they are on the best bikes ever, Rossi I think performed at a similar level to Quatar and Casey struggled (tought weekend) I think what separates Rossi and Stoner from Danni and Lorenzo is that CS and Vale ride their respective bikes as close to the limit over a majority of the season as the Spanish guys do at their home track. Weather its a confidence, courage or just ability think iv no idea but thats the best way I can explain it.
Ducati realised how important Casey is to them, there was a lot of money lost when Casey could not race. Dont get me wrong they always have appreciated him but there was tangible evidence that they were in a poor position without Casey.
His subseuqent return and strong performances also vindicated any decision made.
Duke have also payrolled Caseys trainer to travel with him this whole season as well.
The current change in bike attitude and the apparent increase in its rideability will probably go against Casey in a negotiation point of view. Previously he could clearly say that no one else can ride this like me, now Hayden has shown its a lot tamer, however I expect once we get a few races under our belt we will still see Casey well clear of Niki and taking the bike to a place that probably only one other rider is able to.
When you look at the season so far its pretty interesting for Casey; Qatar showed the bike has the pace but they had an unexpected front end issue, then Jerez a Stoner bogey track started out really well, but they lost set up direction and he got a bad start, the net result was 5th at a track he has never gone overly well at.
Jerez is also a bit of a bizzare track wiht the Spainards and how well they go. In Quatar Danny was rubbish and Lorenzo was ok, they both come to Spain and they are like they are on the best bikes ever, Rossi I think performed at a similar level to Quatar and Casey struggled (tought weekend) I think what separates Rossi and Stoner from Danni and Lorenzo is that CS and Vale ride their respective bikes as close to the limit over a majority of the season as the Spanish guys do at their home track. Weather its a confidence, courage or just ability think iv no idea but thats the best way I can explain it.
Arrivabene (Marlboro Europe brand manager) demanded a public apology from Stoner. I think the friction was real.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Which nearly got him laughed off the planet, hence was possibly the worst negative advertising of the whole saga
In the end it was a feather in Stoners cap to see the public backing him over Arrivabene's supposed comments.
So perhaps it can be:
Honda = Stoner + Lorenzo
Ducati = Rossi + Hayden
Yamaha = Pedrosa + Spies
Then again, will Honda gamble on spending too much money trying to lure both Stoner and Lorenzo to their team?
Also, I'd imagine that IF Rossi leaves Yamaha they would want Lorenzo to stay and possibly gamble on taking Pedrosa on board?
Honda = Stoner + Lorenzo
Ducati = Rossi + Hayden
Yamaha = Pedrosa + Spies
Then again, will Honda gamble on spending too much money trying to lure both Stoner and Lorenzo to their team?
Also, I'd imagine that IF Rossi leaves Yamaha they would want Lorenzo to stay and possibly gamble on taking Pedrosa on board?
can we have a switch between stoner and dovi?
Honda - Stoner and Pedders
Ducati - Hayden and Dovi
Honda - Stoner and Pedders
Ducati - Hayden and Dovi
Rossi going to Ducati is a pipe dream. It will never happen. One simple reason - Burgess won't switch teams again and Rossi won't race with out him and no way would Rossi leave Burgess behind for another rider to take advantage of.
In my opinion if Rossi did switch without Burgess it would be 10 times the move that he made switching from Honda to Yamaha.
I have this gut feeling that Pedrosa is going to end up on the Suzuki with a huge commitment from them to deliver a bike. I also think you will see Puig step in as team boss and Denning will disappear.
In my opinion if Rossi did switch without Burgess it would be 10 times the move that he made switching from Honda to Yamaha.
I have this gut feeling that Pedrosa is going to end up on the Suzuki with a huge commitment from them to deliver a bike. I also think you will see Puig step in as team boss and Denning will disappear.
cs on honda just the same like 2006
hem..
Yamaha = Rossi & Spies (if lorenzo off and i'm sure yamaha will do anything to keep rossi)
Ducati = Lorenzo & Hayden / Pedro ( put alot of cash to lorenzo)
Honda = Casey & Dovi / Pedro
Or maybe
Yamaha = Rossi & Spies
Ducati = Pedro & Hayden
Honda = Lorenzo & casey
but again pedro with hayden ???????
well maybe Pedro on Suzuki
hemm silly season
hem..
Yamaha = Rossi & Spies (if lorenzo off and i'm sure yamaha will do anything to keep rossi)
Ducati = Lorenzo & Hayden / Pedro ( put alot of cash to lorenzo)
Honda = Casey & Dovi / Pedro
Or maybe
Yamaha = Rossi & Spies
Ducati = Pedro & Hayden
Honda = Lorenzo & casey
but again pedro with hayden ???????
well maybe Pedro on Suzuki
hemm silly season
The performance of Hayden, Stoner, Spies, Pedrosa, Dovi and Lorenzo over the next 4 months will have everything to do with where the chips fall. Yamaha has to decide just how valuable Spies can be, both on the track and off/marketing.
If Spies performs as expected, Yamaha will have to guarantee a factory ride for 2011 or 2012.
Pedrosa's situation is precarious. Nothing less than being in 1st place or a close 2nd in points come August will secure his seat @ Honda.
If Dovi can stay top 5, I think he stays put, the same goes for Hayden.
Stoner perhaps is returning to his old nickname, "rolling stoner". If he continues to have problems on the new Duke setup, his seat may be in jeopardy.
And Lorenzo, his future lies to some part in the hands of Rossi. If he can put himself ahead of Rossi in points come August, he may just stay put. If Repsol stays with Honda, he could become their #1 man.
My wild guess:
Yamaha: Lorenzo and Spies, young blood with boat loads of potential, both on and off track, but can they afford both..
Honda: Stoner and Dovi. Who gets top billing is a flip of the coin.
Ducati: Rossi and Hayden, Hayden continues to pile up top 5's, and Rossi retires on Italian machinery, a worthy challenge
where to put Pedro.....Rizla Suzuki along side Bautista, with promises of improved equipment
If Spies performs as expected, Yamaha will have to guarantee a factory ride for 2011 or 2012.
Pedrosa's situation is precarious. Nothing less than being in 1st place or a close 2nd in points come August will secure his seat @ Honda.
If Dovi can stay top 5, I think he stays put, the same goes for Hayden.
Stoner perhaps is returning to his old nickname, "rolling stoner". If he continues to have problems on the new Duke setup, his seat may be in jeopardy.
And Lorenzo, his future lies to some part in the hands of Rossi. If he can put himself ahead of Rossi in points come August, he may just stay put. If Repsol stays with Honda, he could become their #1 man.
My wild guess:
Yamaha: Lorenzo and Spies, young blood with boat loads of potential, both on and off track, but can they afford both..
Honda: Stoner and Dovi. Who gets top billing is a flip of the coin.
Ducati: Rossi and Hayden, Hayden continues to pile up top 5's, and Rossi retires on Italian machinery, a worthy challenge
where to put Pedro.....Rizla Suzuki along side Bautista, with promises of improved equipment
Joined Oct 2006
3K Posts | 34+
Tar Heel State
As much as I dislike Puig, this is a win/win situation for Suzuki if they could pull it off. You know Puig will be up someone's ... to get it right if he's there.
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
CS is suckin donkey sack on the Duc so far.. he'll be looking for a job anyhow.
Nick gets the 7 mil
Nick gets the 7 mil
Repsol leaves, enter RED BULL.
Red Bull Honda sounds good
nahhhh..... they are pissing all their money away in Fnone.... ashame really would love to see red bull honda!
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
With all due respect to Nicky's improved results - I think his leading Stoner at Jerez will be a one-off situation.
He said in post race interviews that he was losing the front end constantly due to an imperfect set-up. Once
his crew gets the weight distribution/balance set-up right, Stoner will be back up at the front. As usual - whenever
Stoner has a bad day, there will be those predicting the end of days for the Aussie. But he'll return to form soon
enough and there will be egg on the usual faces.
When the time comes - if the money is right, I don't see why Stoner couldn't go back to Honda. The whole doing publicity
thing would be the only real issue I could foresee.
I can. Lorenzo ! Better champion prospect than Dani imo and they keep in with Repsol.
I can. Lorenzo ! Better champion prospect than Dani imo and they keep in with Repsol.
Doubtful... too much young talent out there. He'll either stay in Moto2 or go the same
route as Biaggi, Checa, Gibernau, Chili etc. WSBK has become the retirement home for
old Moto GP geezers. Capirossi's next. Life is cruel.
I think Elias is still pretty young and besides, his last year in GP wasn't bad. I don't see a reason for him not to get another go if he succeeds in Moto 2 this season.
