LCR Honda still pushing to sign works refugee Andrea Dovizioso for 2012 MotoGP season

Dovizioso is thought likely to lose his factory Honda seat next year after three seasons, as the firm makes cuts to its MotoGP budget and slims down to a two-rider works line-up with Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

Cecchinello said Honda was keen to place Dovizioso with him, but that issues between them remained. This week Honda also committed to continuing its work support for Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli next year.

"I'm close to covering the budget, but it seems to me that there's a problem between Honda and Andrea, who feels dropped in favour of Simoncelli," Cecchinello told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"His contract is paid for by HRC, who have made him an offer difficult to accept. If only they would meet his requirements and make him feel important..."

Dovizioso confirmed to the Italian newspaper that talks were in danger of stalling.

"We are still only 50-50: the problem is more about money than technical," he said. "I can't say we are closer to solving it and I'm not happy about this situation."

The Italian has also been linked with a Tech 3 Yamaha seat for next year, although he has a long association with Honda.