MotoGP to follow F1 in cost-cutting

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 14:05:00 2009

MotoGP is set to follow the example of Formula One in introducing radical measures to cut costs following the exit of Kawasaki from the sport.

MOTORCYCLING - MotoGP at Brno - 0

Constructors met in Japan recently to thrash out a path for the sport.

Ducati team boss Livio Suppo has now revealed that the first objectives for 2009 will be to spend less time on the track and prolong the use of each engine.

"There are some limitations set for 2009, but the bikes have already been built so miracles cannot be performed," he told Motosprint in Italy.

"In practice, as the greatest expense comes from wearing material - in particular the engine - we realised that the only thing to do now is to make the bikes spend less time on the track.

"That means less test days, shorter free practice and qualifying sessions, and engines able to last for at least two grands prix.

"Servicing the engine, and obviously component replacements, are important to the balance sheet: to cut costs you need to start there. An engine is now serviced after each race weekend, after running for about 600km.

"This year, according to our proposal, we should compete in at least two races with the same engine. In 2010, even three. But for 2010 there is time to intervene in a radical way; that's not the case now."

Suppo said Italian outfit Ducati were waiting on the agreement of the Japanese teams regarding engine lifetimes.

"While we all agree on the cancellation of the Monday tests and the reduction of session times, we at Ducati are still waiting for a reply from the Japanese (teams) regarding the issue of the engine having to last two races," he said.

Kawasaki meanwhile may face a £15 million fine over their decision to opt out of the Workd Championship, as they have breached an agreement to supply bikes until the end of 2011.

Suppo added that the departure of the factory made the other teams aware of how seriously the sport is threatened.

"Finally everyone has realised the difficulties we all have to face," he said. "I saw the will within everyone to work in the same direction, in a serious and fair manner.

"Now we have on the table what can be done, we wait for the GP commission to transform the proposals in proper regulations."

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. I don't want spec bikes. Spec tires for 2009 is­ already lame.

    From Non-spec race cars, on Wed 21 Jan 10:51PM

  2. the best way to cut costs is to make it simple, make a­ bike with as much power as possible put the best riders­ on them, get rid of all the gizmos and go for it then­ once you have a succesful system leave it alone, change­ for the sake of change is a waste of time and money

    From frank, on Thu 15 Jan 7:09PM

  3. A FERRARI WIN IN 2009 WILL BE JUSTICE FOR ALL TRUE F1­ FANS...
    NO GLOK NO HAMILTON TITLE SIMPLE AS!!!
    BESIDES­ MCLAREN AND HAMILTON SIMPLY CHEAT TOO MUCH.

    From frank, on Wed 14 Jan 9:47PM

  4. LOVING ROSSI'S 8th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.. these­ factories know how to make engines provide gob loads of­ power but the tolerances are so close the engine­ expires, they can make them last longer but they would­ have less BHP. if each engine was made to last two or­ even three races it would be closer racing and would­ see more bikes on a grid as non-factory teams would pay­ less rent on a bike. GO ON ROSSI FOR 2009..

    From XxX, on Wed 14 Jan 8:55PM

  5. Won't stop the King, Valentino Rossi..........

    From mejask, on Wed 14 Jan 6:36PM

  6. Bring just the riders, bike and mechanics to the­ races..

    From Dekan, on Wed 14 Jan 6:18PM

  7. I say get the factorys out of moto GP. They drive up­ the price of racing to the point rich people can not­ afford to field a bike. A full field is important. 6­ bikes does not make a field. Oh yea stop segerating the­ 250 and 125 teams from the high and mity MOTO GP­ paddock. Also what is the purses for a race. The teams­ should be able to compeat on prise money a moderate­ sponsers.

    From X RACER, on Wed 14 Jan 5:48PM

  8. Surely less testing and development will mean slower­ races?

    From Holty, on Wed 14 Jan 5:03PM
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