Roberts Sr. says electronics hurting show

The American also feels that the income of the sport is being hurt, with his team strapped for cash, and Ilmor having withdrawn from the championship last Thursday, citing sponsorship shortfalls.

Roberts said: "I said two or three years ago that anything that does not add to the show should be banned because we (MotoGP) have a cash problem.

"The sponsorship coming in does not outweigh the cost going out. And there's only a few years left where you can get away with that."

Roberts feels that the increased technology will also prevent new teams being able to come into the championship, which could be a problem if any the current squads decide to leave.

"Fly-by-wire, traction control - all that should have been banned a long time ago, but it's too late now," he said.

"If Ilmor can't make a motorcycle engine competitive, then I cannot see anyone outside of Japan and Italy anyone coming in."

Roberts added that the switch to 800cc bikes will also hurt the spectacle of the sport, as they are easier to ride than the 990cc machines.

"You saw no bike in Qatar spinning," he said. "It's not a 990. It's an era that's gone and that's a shame. You're not going to see them spinning the tyre and people thinking, 'Man, that's awesome'.

"Now we are going to have 800s that resemble 250s. Passes will have to be done on the brakes, or if you have a Ducati, on the straight."