Honda keen for Casey Stoner to continue MotoGP testing

Honda will try and persuade Casey Stoner to carry out more test and development work on its factory RC213V MotoGP machine in 2015.

The Australian made a surprise return to MotoGP action in Japan this week when he took part in a two-day test for HRC at Twin Ring Motegi.

The double MotoGP world champion, who retired from racing at the end of 2012, tested a 2015-spec RC213V on Bridgestone and Michelin tyres in his first ride in a year.

The 29-year-old has hinted that this week’s test is strictly a one-off, but HRC boss Shuhei Nakamoto said he will try and convince Stoner to carry out more tests next year.

Nakamoto told MCN: “I don’t know if he will do more tests but I will ask if he is interested because I would be interested to do some more work with him in the future.”

Stoner tested an updated version of the 2015 RC213V that Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa tested in Brno in late August in Japan.

The latest bike features a revised motor and Nakamoto added: “The chassis is the same but the engine is a little bit different and has been designed more for top power.”