Winter testing to be slashed again in MotoGP

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner’s winter preparations for the 2010 MotoGP world championship could be restricted to just eight days of testing under future cost-cutting plans.

The impact of the worldwide recession has already had a major impact on winter testing ahead of the 2009 campaign, with nine days slashed off the current pre-season schedule.

By the time the season kicks off under the floodlights in Qatar on April 12, the MotoGP grid will have tested five times.

But track time is likely to be slashed even further ahead of the 2010 as part of a drive to restrict engine mileage.

Extending engine life is one of the key targets in MotoGP, and Plans currently under discussion would see a two-day test take place immediately after the final race in Valencia in early November.

Then there will be only six days of testing from the end of the seven-week ban on January until the first round.

Both tests could take place at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. That would save hefty logistics costs, with teams able to leave all their equipment in Sepang before returning for the second test.

Another plan could be to test first in Sepang, and then have the second test in Qatar, as close to the first race as possible, assuming the Middle East venue continues to stage the opening round.

That would also save on logistics costs, with teams able to avoid expensive freight costs by leaving equipment in Qatar ahead of the first race.