Stefan Bradl admits doubt over LCR Honda future

Stefan Bradl has admitted he is sweating over his factory Honda future, as rumours intensify that his sought after RC213V seat will go to current Moto3 world championship leader Jack Miller in 2015.

It is no secret that Bradl’s Monaco-based LCR squad has been under mounting pressure to axe the German.

Just one podium in 43 races has not impressed Honda management, who have been underwhelmed with the 23-year-old’s form since he moved to MotoGP as reigning Moto2 world champion in 2011.

Bradl’s current team boss Lucio Cecchinello is desperate to offer him a new deal and told MCN in Germany last weekend: “I love working with Stefan and believe he is a fast rider with a lot of talent. I am pushing a lot to get him to do some good results so he can go on with our project.”

Bradl himself though admits his performances have put him in a vulnerable position, as he was in at this same stage last season before a pole position and podium at Laguna Seca saved his job.

“Lucio’s first choice is to keep me and my first choice is to stay, “said Bradl. “We have support from HRC and in the end they have to agree. They (HRC) are still waiting for a better performance and I can understand that. The most important thing is to show good races.”

Bradl has been linked with a switch to Pramac Ducati and has not even ruled out a shock return to Moto2 if he does lose the LCR seat and he added: “I have no offers and I didn’t speak to anybody so far. Going back to Moto2 would not be my first choice at all. My performances have not been too bad that I can’t get a competitive bike in MotoGP next season.”

With Bradl’s future in doubt, speculation is increasing that Honda will take a gamble on signing Aussie sensation Miller to move straight up from Moto3 to MotoGP next season.

Honda management are big fans of Miller, who has won four races in Moto3 this season with the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad.

Miller is supposed to have a contract in place with the Marc VDS Racing squad for Moto2 next season, but he has said repeatedly it is not a ‘binding’ deal.

And his reluctance to move to the best team in Moto2 hints that he has his sights on a bigger deal, which could see him riding a Factory Honda like Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa in 2015.

Yamaha have also shown big interest in Miller’s signature for next season, with satellite Tech 3 team boss Herve Poncharal one of many in a growing army of admirers for the 19-year-old.