Casey Stoner says Ducati called Valentino Rossi to fill the empty seat – MotoGP news
MotoGP rider Casey Stoner, who is now with the Repsol Honda squad, has commented on the rider’s swap for 2011 season and said that Ducati picked Valentino Rossi after his decision to leave the sole Italian manufacturer in the sport.
Stoner did not want to continue with the Ducati team so he did not extend his contract. After Stoner’s shift to the Repsol Honda team, Ducati called in Valentino Rossi to join them.
He also said that his crew was very happy to work with Stoner, but the team’s management was not willing to continue with him and it also included the sponsors, who thought that Rossi would give more benefits to the team in the races and appearances.
Stoner commented, “In the last couple of years, the relationship with the factory is not exactly warm. With the people on the track, with the test team, everything is perfect. Let's say that there are some problems with the top management. When I had my
(health) problems, I understood that it wasn't really a family like I had previously thought. I had problems and they didn't help me. Instead, the people behind the bike are really special.”
After all the problems, the Aussie rider made an apparent decision to put an end to his MotoGP career, but soon he realised that it was not the end. He later decided to move to Honda and it was kind of a dream come true for him.
After his move to Honda, he is more than satisfied with one of the best teams in the MotoGP history. In his opinion, comparatively the Japanese team is more concentrated on racing rather than focusing on the appearance as Ducati.
In comparison, he also told that the Ducati team gave him a tough time during his injury period in the 2009 season. After missing several races, his relations with the Ducati team were at an all time low.
It is evident that Stoner is doing very well being at Repsol Honda, as he has won four races and finished on podium in two races from the seven rounds in the ongoing 2011 season.
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