Nakamoto threatens to pull Honda out of MotoGP

HRC boss Shuhei Nakamoto has threatened to walk away from MotoGP should Dorna go ahead and enforce the proposed standardised ECU from 2017.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta wants to every bike on the grid to be fitted with the same standard Magneti Marelli ECU from the start of the 2017 season. The ECU that Ezpeleta wants to enforce, is being used by all of the open, non-prototype entries from next season. 

However, Dorna are already facing a mutiny from factory teams on the idea. Along with Nakamoto, new Ducati race director Gigi Dall’Igna is opposed to the idea of a standardised ECU.

“Honda has a particular interest in MotoGP, I.E machine development,” explained Nakamoto.

“This is very important for Honda. MotoGP is a very good platform for development of new technologies. If we do not find this possibility, the participation of Honda no longer makes sense.”

When asked what he thought Yamaha may think of the proposed plans, Nakamoto simply said: “I don’t know Yamaha’s opinion on this topic. I can only speak for Honda.”

Nakamoto and HRC look like they are just flexing their powerful muscles, however Dorna will want to wrestle some power away from Honda, who field half of the Moto3 field, supply engines to the whole Moto2 field, and will be fielding eight bikes in MotoGP next season.