Honda refuse to extend MotoGP involvement in 2008

Honda will not supply any more RC212V 800 machines for the 2008 MotoGP world championship, casting huge doubt over the future of Kenny Roberts’ British-based squad.

Roberts recently told MCN that unless he can secure a deal to field a two-rider team next season he might be forced to quit after struggling with a one-rider outfit this season.

The American currently leases engines for one-rider from Honda, but his request for additional support to extend his Banbury team to a two-man team has already been rejected by HRC.

And it seems that Honda won’t budge with HRC Managing Director Satoru Horiike confirming that no more machines will be made available in 2008.

As well as its factory squad backed by Repsol that currently runs reigning world champion Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa, Honda also supplies four complete machines to three satellite squads including the Hannpsree Gresini, LCR and Konica Minolta teams.

With the engine lease deal for Team Roberts, Honda has involvement in over a third of the grid.

But Horiike said that Honda’s current involvement was already its maximum capacity and he said: “We will supply six complete bikes and one engine for Kenny if they will continue. That’s all I can say. It’s the same condition as this year because we have no more capacity. This year we are at the maximum.”