Ilmor to sit out next few rounds of MotoGP

[FourWheelDrift]

crash.net said:

MotoGP's newest team, Ilmor, are going to sit out the forthcoming rounds of the 2007 world championship in order to work on development and sponsorship.

That I don't understand, they can test and develop and surely then a race weekend is more development as you are then testing your progress against others.

Edited to add below news.

Autosport said:

Ilmor boss Mario Illien has confirmed that the team will take a temporary break from racing in MotoGP due to funding problems.

The team had a difficult start to the season at Qatar last weekend, but Illien is hopeful that the bikes can be competitive once they have had more development away from the races.

"We are withdrawing because of funding," Illien told autosport.com. "Lots of people have been supportive, but nobody has been supportive financially.

"We will continue to test and develop the motorcycle though, then make a judgement (about the return) at a later date."

The brand new team only had spare bikes at their disposal for the first time in Qatar, and their testing schedule over the winter was limited.

The decision comes as a blow to Jeremy McWilliams, who has battled injuries over the winter to make the MotoGP field for 2007.

McWilliams said: "I am wondering what I have to do to get a full season completed in MotoGP."

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 15th March 12:10

[Busamav]

as much of a shame as it is , i think its a true blessing for Mcwilliams

[trickywoo]

I think its more to do with how far off the pace they are. A bit of testing is never going to sort that out and who wants to throw money at the slowest team in the field?

Having said that if Mario can swallow his pride and ditch his engine and get a Ducati one instead.......