Honda angered by illegal clutch rumours

Honda boss Shuhei Nakamoto has vented his frustration again at suggestions earlier this season that the new factory RC212V machine was using an illegal dual clutch system.

Rumours appeared in Italy that Honda was using a dual clutch system during winter tests earlier this year at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, even though such technology is banned.

Nakamoto was angered at the suggestion HRC was bending the rules and his frustration has continued after Honda’s promising start to the 2011 season.

Casey Stoner dominated the season’s opening first race in Qatar and he’s been on pole position in the opening two rounds of the campaign, including the recent Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.

Honda has developed a new quick shift gearbox, but the system has been stripped by FIM Technical Director Mike Webb and approved.

Nakamoto said: “When he (Webb) heard about the gearbox he came to see us and checked the gearbox and it was fine, but we knew this.

“The rumour that we started to use a dual clutch is stupid. Regulations say that you can’t use a dual clutch, so please ask the foolish guy that started the rumour.”