The vice president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) Shuhei Nakamoto officially eliminated the possibility of bringing 2007 and 2011 Australian MotoGP champion out of retirement to fill in for injured Dani Pedrosa.
“I would like to see Casey fight for at least a podium, but we do not have enough time to prepare.” he said to the press after weeks of wild speculation suggested that Stoner might return as early as yesterday’s round in Jerez, Spain.
Stoner is currently an official HRC factory test rider, and plans to race for the first time since retiring in the Suzuka 8 hour endurance race later this year. During winter tests, he proved to still have competitive levels of speed and very quickly adapted to the new technology.
Many race fans’ excitement was ignited when the rumours began circulating. Stoner was a very popular figure during his six years in MotoGP, most famously while riding for Ducati and for delivering the Italian brand’s first ever world championship. His bold, never-say-die style and simple personal manner won him many friends, although he bristled regularly with arch rival Valentino Rossi.
HRC has been roundly criticized for placing Hiroshi Aoyama in the vacant seat of what is by far the most coveted bike on the world road racing scene. The Japanese test rider struggles to keep up with privateer Hondas and finishes mid field, which calls into question the excuse given for not hiring Stoner instead. Stoner’s test times are significantly faster than Aoyama’s.
Nakamoto ended his press conference with the enigmatic statement “Everything is possible. Everything.” Suggesting that perhaps the official HRC line may not be cast in stone.
