Casey Stoner Worried Honda And Yamaha Leaving MotoGP, Thepurest Situation Could Be The Trigger

JAKARTA - MotoGP legend Casey Stoner expressed concern about the two major Japanese manufacturers, Honda and Yamaha in the competition that is currently rolling. Stoner is afraid the two major manufacturers will leave MotoGP due to their slumping situation in recent seasons.

In the last two seasons, the dominance of Honda and Yamaha has continued to erode. On the other hand, the European factory teams such as Ducati, KTM and Aprilia have actually begun to skyrocket.

Moreover, last season Ducati succeeded in proving dominance through satisfactory results. Their rider, Francesco Bagnaia, came out as world champion.

This situation further raises the assumption that the strengths of Honda and Yamaha are starting to weaken. Moreover, Stoner also feels that these two Japanese manufacturers are quite difficult in developing aerodynamics.

"I don't think Honda and Yamaha are to blame for the current situation. On the other hand, I think the regulations have been changed to help the European factory team with their aerodynamics," Stoner said as quoted by Crash, Sunday, July 30.

"A few years ago it was actually decided to ban all aerodynamic aids, but then this plan was suddenly canceled again. That's why Suzuki left MotoGP," he continued.

It was this situation that led to fear in Stoner's mind. He felt that if Yamaha and Honda continued to fail to keep up with their ability to develop the device, it was not impossible that the two Japanese factory teams would leave MotoGP.

"I'm afraid Honda and Yamaha will also leave, because what's in MotoGP right now is not their commitment," he added.

'The MotoGP bike is now like an F1 with two wheels. The last time I saw, MotoGP was still racing a motorcycle, not F1! A few years ago it was said that MotoGP had to go in a different direction, but now suddenly it has changed drastically," said Stoner.

The former Honda and Ducati racers who twice tasted the world title then explained why European teams like Ducati were able to excel in developing aerodynamics.

"Aerodynamics requires a lot of resources. In addition, it is more difficult to develop something quickly in Japan than in Europe, but indeed aerodynamics are developing rapidly," Stoner said.

"It's hard to say what the decision makers in the Japanese factory team have in mind, I haven't spoken to them yet. But the fact is they are struggling and may not want to follow this development. In my opinion, there shouldn't be any winglets and such devices," he said.