British MotoGP: Colin Edwards still in frame for '08 Yamaha MotoGP ride

Colin Edwards is still a part of Yamaha’s 2008 MotoGP world championship plans despite an alarming slump in results. 

Edwards hasn’t been able to record a top six finish in the five races since his third place in the Spanish MotoGP in Jerez back in March.

And the American’s future is the subject of hot debate in the paddock, with many expecting that his place alongside Valentino Rossi in the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP squad to be taken by current world 250 championship leader Jorge Lorenzo next season.

But Yamaha bosses are insisting the double World Superbike champion does have a future with them. Colin Edwards certainly has a strong ally in Rossi, who has already communicated his desire to see the Texan stay to Yamaha bosses.

And Fiat Yamaha boss Davide Brivio told MCN: “There is a good chance of Colin staying, but of course we’d like to see better results from him,” said Brivio, who admitted the dilemma facing Yamaha bosses is whether to disrupt the stability and harmony which currently thrives in the Fiat Yamaha garage.

Davide Brivio recently told MCN the atmosphere in the team was ‘unique’ in his racing experience, and he added Colin Edwards still had an important role to play in the future fortunes of the team.

“Colin is not here to support Valentino, he is here to make the best results. Valentino is able to make his own choice but it’s good to have confirmation.

“Maybe you have something working well and it’s confirmed by Colin so you go straight in that direction. Sometimes maybe Colin has tried some tyres and Valentino has tried different ones and they trust each other on testing.

“From this point of view Colin is giving good help to the area. But when it comes to race day his target is to get a good result.

“There are always some reasons for his results, maybe some time he made a tyre choice that didn’t suit that race or sometimes maybe he didn‘t feel completely comfortable with the bike, but he has the potential to have good results.

And Davide Brivio added: “Now some good tracks are coming up for him. Donington, Assen and Laguna Seca are good circuits for him so for sure we are going to see him back at the top.”