Rossi Ducati switch 'engine related'

ONE OF THE major reasons Valentino Rossi is defecting to Ducati MotoGP in 2011 is down to a engine power, it been revealed.

The news came about after former 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner recently struck up a conversation at an airport with Jerry Burgess - Valentino Rossi's chief technician at Fiat Yamaha.

According to Gardner, Burgess told his fellow Australian that although Yamaha's M1 racer handles very well both Honda and Ducati have stepped up engine development significantly this year - something Yamaha are very concerned about.

Reading between the lines, Gardner says he believes Yamaha will now find it increasingly tough as the team's engine has little left in the way of development.

Due to Yamaha's recent economic woes, it's now believed the company has little in the way of funding for further MotoGP engine development.

Read Visordown's full story about Yamaha's worst period ever in their 55-year history.

Writing in his online blog, Gardner says: 'The future for their (Yamaha's) current engine desihn doesn't look good at this stage. Now, Ducati have a strong engine once again with significant input from Ferrari, while Honda have recruited all their former F1 engineers to the MotoGP cause and are spending a lot if money on bike development.'

The 1987 500cc World Champion concludes by saying:

'I think it's perfect timing for Valentino to go. If the engne's strong, it won't take him and Jerry long to sort out the chassis issues. I expect him to be right at the front and winning next year.'