Andrea Dovizioso: Next two races key for resolving future
Andrea Dovizioso feels the next two MotoGP events at Indianapolis and Misano will be crucial in deciding his future as he fights to retain his Honda seat
Team boss Shuhei Nakamoto had suggested that Honda did not intend to retain Dovizioso alongside Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner in its main line-up in 2012, or to continue providing Gresini's Marco Simoncelli with a factory-specification bike - and that a final decision would be reached by Indianapolis this weekend.
But Dovizioso reckons the situation will not become clear for a further week, and accepted that he might have to look elsewhere for 2012.
"The next two grands prix will be important to understand the situation," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "The objective is to stay here, but it's not a secret that I'm also talking to other teams.
"I'm not in MotoGP just to be here and make money - I want to win and I'm looking for a works team. Otherwise I'll take a step back in a satellite outfit."
He played down suggestions that he was working on a deal with Tech 3 Yamaha.
"We have talked but I can't call it negotiations," Dovizioso said. "At Brno the 1,000cc bike went quicker than expected and maybe that bike can adapt to my riding style."
Dovizioso suggested that a seat with the satellite Yamaha team would probably be his best bet if he had to part company with Honda.
"Suzuki is a bit behind with its programmes, it seems it doesn't have the mentality to go for victories," he said.
"The will to win and the effort are not lacking at Ducati, but on paper the situation is more difficult. Obviously, trying to beat Valentino [Rossi] on the same bike can be an interesting incentive, but the situation at Yamaha is better."
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