Got to say I'm disappointed if that's the case, but we'll soon find out if his form is bad or it's the bike.
It's all gone too 'F1' for me. With few exceptions, all we get from those finishing off the podium is "ooh it wasn't my fault; it's the bike" ...... well either the riders need to shut up & man up (and I honestly don't think that is the case) or Dorna are well on the way to completely fehucking up and ruining the last motorsport where the rider/driver mattered more than the vehicle!
its sad seeing Rossi go, he couldnt gel with the Ducati. It just goes to show how good a rider Stoner was. I think myself that Rossi has lost it, to old and not hungry enough. Hopefully Cal can do the job.
Redding does fit into the 'Brain out, wring it's neck, and hold on...' catagory but if that's how it needs to be ridden then I think the best lunatic out there is Ianone - not known as Crazy Joe for nothing. It'd be a perfect solution to Ducatis insistence on having an Italian rider, and scare the daylights out of everyone at Honda/Yam thinking he's on the fastest, but possibly worst handling, bike out there!
Unfortunately, if it turns out that the bike is the biggest issue and not Valentino then the solution is not going to be the bravery of the next candidate. Just opening the throttle on a bike that doesn't handle , as i'm sure every road rider knows is not going to end well.
You cant compare he bike stoner had to the latest iteration imo either good or bad, its so different Persoanlly let him go to yamaha, see what he can do back on a good bike and if he still has 'it' or not
I think Rossi proved he still had it with his 2nd place at Le Mans earlier in the season. What he has also proved is that he cannot be quick on any bike in all conditions. Maybe everyone expected too much of him.
BTW that article only says Rossi has been offered a deal at Yamaha not that he has signed to them. I think everyone knew that anyway.
Personally I would have, and indeed would still like to see him really cement his 'Doctor' rep and really sort the bike, instead of heading off to Yamaha. It will be fireworks if/when he does go mind. Could be a very interesting season
The title of "doctor" isn't because he fixes things. It's a term over used in Italy by people addressing students (all young Italians seemingly go to university and become a "doctor" of one thing or another) and because he didn't get a higher education he took it as a nickname :smile:
