Ducati boss: Rider salaries will reduce

Ducati’s factory team boss Livio Suppo has told MCN it is inevitable that some of the world’s top riders will have to race for less money in the future.

While it is impossible to police a salary cap, which had been discussed as a possible cost-cutting measure in the global economic crisis, Suppo said the gloomy economic climate meant would mean salaries would not increase.

Suppo said: “All the contracts are signed but I think for the future it is not a question of a cap, but it is a question of the market.

“If you have a lot of money you go on holiday in the winter wherever you want, if you have less money you stay at home. This situation will not change in the short term but when the current contracts are finished, everybody will be looking to renew at a different level, and that level is likely to be less.

“I think the market has already started to shrink, but it might need to decrease even more.”

MotoGP has been forced into a major overhaul of costs because of the worldwide economic downturn.

Friday morning’s opening free practice for all three classes has been scrapped for 2009, while no team will be allowed to test during the 18-round Grand Prix season.

And engines will have to last for two races starting from the Czech Republic clash in Brno in August.