“I have a lot to give the sport” – Casey Stoner eyes new MotoGP role
Double MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner says he is considering a return to the sport in a new role to help teams and riders
Casey Stoner has revealed he is eyeing a return to MotoGP in some capacity in future to impart his vast knowledge to a team or riders, saying he has ‘a lot to give the sport’.
Stoner won two MotoGP World Championship titles – in 2007 with Ducati and 2011 with Honda – during a relatively short career that concluded at the end of the 2012 season.
Having cited a desire to step away from the limelight and focus on his family as his reasons for quitting the sport prematurely, Stoner has maintained a relatively low profile ever since save for brief testing and advisory roles with Honda and Ducati.
However, Stoner – who revealed last year that he suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome – says he would be keen to beat a path back to MotoGP eventually in an interview with the Australian Grand Prix website conducted by fellow Australian and former MotoGP rival Chris Vermeulen.
Asked whether he would consider a management role, Stoner first explains why he parted ways with Honda – he was ‘squeezed out’ – and Ducati before revealing does want to return eventually because he feels he has a lot of insight to provide either a team or rider.
“As you know we had a certain role there with Ducati. I tried with Honda at the beginning but kind of got squeezed out a little bit by the young gun coming through, didn't want me around!" Stoner smiled.
"So, we tried this with Ducati as well, but couldn't come to an agreement on terms, things like this, so we had to step aside from that role. I didn't really feel like I could give to the team what I wanted to.
"I knew what the riders wanted, we worked really well together, but unfortunately riders don't always get to say. As you know, with some manufacturers they see data and they see what they believe is the correct direction and it doesn't always sit well with the riders.
"So, it was just a constant slog, a constant fight trying to get the right things changed on the bike to move forward. And it was hard work. Being in Australia and not able to be over there as well, having more meetings and discussions and pushing them harder was a little bit difficult.
"So I sort of stepped back from that role, but I still think I have a lot to give the sport. I still think there are certain aspects where I think outside of the box maybe and have a different view of things that can help in some ways.
"I'm certainly not going to go in and make solutions etc but I know what needs to be done to win races and that I have something to give back in the future.
"At the same time, I might have to wait until this chronic fatigue passes so I can actually give a little more than I currently can. I'm currently trying to put all my efforts into this and my family.
"But to be honest, yeah, I would like to be involved a little bit more and let's see what the future holds for MotoGP."
