Bautista-Suzuki: a decision in Australia
Monday, 10 October 2011 18:36 by Ernesto Emmi
Suzuki will make a decision about its 2012 plans in time for the Australian Grand Prix. Saying so was
Lucio Cecchinello, owner of Team LCR, who has put the Spanish rider at the top of his wish list for next season.
"Left hanging" by Andrea Dovizioso, after the Italian signed with Team Tech 3 Yamaha, the team owner is now running out of time to find another option.
"I was really hoping that Andrea would make a different decision, but I respect his choice - Cecchinello told GPone.com -
now we will decide on our rider within a week. Our preference is for Alvaro Bautista, but he won't decide until he hears from Suzuki. Carmelo Ezpeleta told me that we'll learn of Suzuki's plans at Phillip Island, so a solution isn't far off."
Obviously Alvaro would prefer to stay at Suzuki where he is their top (and only) rider, but an offer to ride a Honda could be quite tempting, especially depending on the type of support available from HRC.
"As alternatives we have maintained contact with John Hopkins and Randy De Puniet, but Bautista is our first choice," Cecchinello concluded.
Bautista also received an offer from Ducati to rider one of their satellite machines.
Donc Bautista à le choix, soit Suzuki, soit LCR, soit Pramac.