How do you solve a problem like Andrea Dovizioso?

Honda is unlikely to entertain a deal where it pays Andrea Dovizioso to ride for a rival manufacturer in 2011.

Unable so far to attract new investment that would allow HRC to run a planned factory ‘super team’ involving Dovizioso, Pedrosa and new star recruit Casey Stoner, the Italian’s future remains in doubt.

Talks with energy drink giant Red Bull collapsed, leaving Honda with a major headache having agreed a clause in Dovizioso’s contract that if he was in the top five in the rankings after Laguna Seca, he would automatically clinch a 2011 contract.

The most likely outcome is to pair Dovizioso with compatriot Marco Simoncelli in Fausto Gresini’s satellite squad but offering him full factory support.

It emerged though at the last race in America that Dovizioso’s manager Simone Batistella has held tentative talks with Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal.

Poncharal though is understood to have said he’ll only offer the world 125GP champion a deal if HRC continues to pay his salary in a loan deal.

Dovizioso is adamant he will be on an R212V next season and said: “The target for HRC and for me is to continue in the same way and I’m happy about that.

“Honda is working a lot and I’m not worried about that. HRC and me are working to stay in the same team and not to go in a satellite team.”

As for a loan move to another manufacturer, he added: “HRC didn’t say this and I didn’t say this.”

Poncharal would only confirm the approach from Dovizioso’s management and said: “Clearly Andrea is one of the rare riders who can be a regular top three finisher. He has experience and he is fast.

“We have been approached by his management. When you get an approach by a rider of this calibre you have to consider.

“He would be our number one option but can we do it in terms of technical and financial support, this is another question. I would love to continue the negotiations.

“I don’t know how big their interest is in talking to us. At the end of the day it will be up to Dovi to decide if he wants to look at another option.”

Poncharal said he had been assured a Tech 3 move would not be a big issue for Dovizioso.

Tech 3 is sponsored by Monster and Dovizioso has a long-term and lucrative personal deal with rival energy drink brand Red Bull.

Monster is close to agreeing a new two-year deal with Tech 3.