"FOLLOWING the news MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta would like to see motorcycle racing's premier class return to 990cc engines, Vito Ippolito, the president of motorcycling's governing body the FIM, has backed Ezpeleta's opinion, saying "the 800cc formula hasn't worked."
Speaking to Motosprint, Ippolito said: "MotoGP manufacturers want 1000cc engines, so that's the way now.
"The 800cc formula hasn't worked because power is more or less the same but cornering speed has increased. And costs have increased too."
Ippolito was keen to make clear this would not lead to conflict with the World Superbike Championship, despite World Superbike promoter Infront Motor Sports' reaction to the return to 990 engines. Read Visordown's take on the WSB angle here.
"We are satisfied with both series, because they meet the requests of the fans," said Ippolito. "SBK offers the opportunity of racing and showing off to people who have less resources, while MotoGP is the global image of motorcycle racing.
"So we need both, but it's important to keep a difference between the two: someone who watches Superbikes watches his own bike racing. MotoGP is different, and someone who watches it wants to see something else."
Bring it on!
Speaking to Motosprint, Ippolito said: "MotoGP manufacturers want 1000cc engines, so that's the way now.
"The 800cc formula hasn't worked because power is more or less the same but cornering speed has increased. And costs have increased too."
Ippolito was keen to make clear this would not lead to conflict with the World Superbike Championship, despite World Superbike promoter Infront Motor Sports' reaction to the return to 990 engines. Read Visordown's take on the WSB angle here.
"We are satisfied with both series, because they meet the requests of the fans," said Ippolito. "SBK offers the opportunity of racing and showing off to people who have less resources, while MotoGP is the global image of motorcycle racing.
"So we need both, but it's important to keep a difference between the two: someone who watches Superbikes watches his own bike racing. MotoGP is different, and someone who watches it wants to see something else."
Bring it on!