IODA Racing will field just Danilo Petrucci in MotoGP in 2014, leaving Leon Camier without a ride. Rumors of financial problems for the teams had been circulating for several days, but now IODA has confirmed officially that they are down to just a single rider.
The team will still be racing Aprilia ART machines entered under the Open regulations, but with just a single rider, progress will be slower.
Danilo Petrucci has soldiered on with the team for the past two years, riding first the underpowered IODA machine using a stock Aprilia RSV4 engine, and then the Suter BMW which was quickly ditched by the teams which had been using it.
Petrucci’s patience has been rewarded with a much better machine in 2014, though the level of support Aprilia will be providing remains unclear.
Though the press release says that the team are working to find sponsorship to keep Camier on board, the Englishman will only be able to compete if he is effectively able to pay for his ride.
If Camier cannot raise the funds, he will be forced to look for other options, but in a difficult market, those options are severely limited, and he could be forced to take a year out of racing.
The withdrawal of Camier leaves just 23 riders on the MotoGP grid for 2014. And with the switch by Ducati from Factory Option status to Open, there are now just 8 Factory Option entries, Honda versus Yamaha. For the full, updated entry list, see the entry list page on MotoMatters. Below is the press release from IODA:
IODARACING PROJECT PRESS RELEASE
Terni, February 28, 2014 – Iodaracing Project srl will begin the 2014 season with a only rider in MotoGP.
Will be the Italian Danilo Petrucci to be deployed with the Iodaracing Team’s ART in MotoGP class starting in the next IRTA test in Qatar scheduled 6 to 9 March. The swiss rider Randy Krummenacher remains confirmed in Moto2.
Iodaracing Project continues to work to be able to have even his second rider, the Britain’s Leon Camier.
GIAMPIERO SACCHI – IODARACING PROJECT TEAM OWNER – “Our priority is to start working with Aprilia for the development of the bike according to the steps that we have set. We are still working to be able to line up a second MotoGP during the season”.
Photo: © 2013 Scott Jones / Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved
This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.
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