MotoGP set to scrap rookie rule - opening door for Marc Marquez to join Honda - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com Its funny how after only 2 days of Lorenzo issuing a statement that he is staying with Yamaha for 2 more years and reporting that Honda offered him a ride next year, we now read this!! Was Jorge the only option for Honda? Now he’s out the window, which leaves them with Marc Marquez and the rookie rule!! So did Honda say to Dorna, scrap the rookie rule or we’re off? Ezpaleta can say what he likes to the press, only he knows what happened.
Thats why, for me, any result where Honda does not win is a good result. Surprise MotoGP isnt a one make (i.e. Honda) cup same as Moto2
What was meant to be the point of the rookie rule in any case? In fact, remind me, what did the rookie rule actually stipulate? But have Honda negotiated a change to suit them? Probably. Isn't this what Ducati has frequently done in WSBK?
I read the article this morning and did make me think, didn't know Honda own Motogp. Again money talks and the rest walks. Very convenient according to the current stoner situation
Wasn't the rookie rule designed to give non-heavily sponsored good riders (eg Cal) a chance if a factory ride and winning something? As it stands, whether Marques is capable or not, the level of financial support he can bring to Hinda would put him n the seat ahead if Cal. But let's be real world here; isnt that how almost every race series works to an extent? If you bring lots of personal sponsors it's more likely you will get a good ride. Very few teams I would imagine can afford to buy, develop and then pay a rider
A 'rookie' can't join a 'factory' team That is one of the stupidest rules I've ever seen anyway ..... what is a rookie? Is Michael Rutter a rookie? ..... The Gresini bikes are classed as 'non-factory' yet got more support from Honda than the Kwaks/Suzukis/Aprilia bikes ever got from their 'factories'. Is the CRT bike with a Kwak engine a 'factory' bike as there are no other Kwak engined bikes out there and Kwak supply development engine parts? If a team wants to run with an inexperienced rider, then that's their problem ....... and everyone is jumping up and down shouting 'foul' assuming this is to allow Marquez onto a HRC bike .... what if it's Yam with Smith or even Duc with Ianone? Or is that alright because it's not Honda? The MotoGP class has enough problems without putting restrictions on who can ride what .....
Yanks have always been in the GP class primarily to sell bikes, regardless of ability ........ have a look at the riders in WSBK and tell me there's no one in that better than Hayden ..... bollocks! Given the same chances he's had (factory Honda/Duc) many would've gotten way better results than he has!
The way the crashes/results went for everyone else that year, you could've strapped Ray Charles to the 2nd Honda and he'd have won it! :tongue: Probably a bit unfair on the lad but let's be honest, if he came from Kent and not Kentucky he'd have never have gotten near a MotoGP ride - he just happened to be the fastest of the young yanks when, for sales reasons only, Honda were desperate to get one on board.
Oh you're harsh! He was a goodly sight faster than the GOAT on Sunday. And he seems a genuinely nice bloke. Enough of this Hayden-bashing! I won't stand for it!!
Just to point out that rumours of the rookie rule being scrapped started before the first race of the season, so I don't think Lorenzo's resigning had anything to do with it.
The original idea of the rookie rule was to allow teams like Tech 3 and Gresini to attract bigger sponsors by employing top incoming riders, like Marquez. But now Gresini and Tech 3 seem to be able to attract decent sponsorship regardless and employing Marquez would in fact ruin the relationship they have built up with present sponsors.
Absolutley. Plus Duke63, tech 3 and Gresini have now got pretty sweet bikes so the sponsors are drawn to them, no need to have big sponsored riders, i.e cal.
