Ducati test rider Casey Stoner says the Italian marque does not use the “data and directions” he provides, and looks set to end his MotoGP role with the team at the end of the year.
Stoner – who won his first title with Ducati in 2007 – sensationally quit MotoGP at the end of the '12 campaign, but took up a test role with Honda through to the end of '15, before returning to Ducati in '16.
The Australian has completed a handful of tests for Ducati in this time, though has not ridden the bike since the Sepang test in February as he has been recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Rumours of Stoner not renewing his deal with Ducati beyond this year have circulated for some time, and he added fuel to this speculation by expressing his dissatisfaction with the Italian marque in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Stoner says Ducati has neglected to use his feedback, and has been “reluctant” to make changes to the bike he has suggested. As a result, he is reticent to “risk" doing any more testing.
“The shoulder is not an obstacle to testing with the Ducati, I'm already training and doing motocross,” Stoner said.
“The recovery is in line with the timing planned with Ducati after the Sepang test in February. I worked to continue to be a test rider.
“I returned to Ducati to work hard and help it win another world title, not to be just a poster guy for the company.
“Nothing would give me greater satisfaction to celebrate another title with Ducati, but I feel I cannot give anything more than what they already have, since it seems they do not use the data and the directions I give them.
“I have long suggested changes that they seem reluctant to do. And if they do not use my data and my feedback, I do not feel like risking doing tests, since to get results you have to get close to the limit.”
The team currently sits second in the manufacturers' standings, 28 points adrift of Honda. Jorge Lorenzo – who will join Honda next year – heads Andrea Dovizioso by a point in third in the riders' table, 71 adrift of leader Marc Marquez.
Ducati's other test rider Michele Pirro will make his second wildcard appearance of the season at this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix – his first MotoGP round since suffering a concussion and dislocated shoulder in a horrific highside crash at Mugello earlier in the year
