This file pitcure shows MotoGP rivals Casey Stoner (left) of Australia and Valentino Rossi of Italy. Stoner retired last year

DOHA: MotoGP is ‘not boring’ and new regulations set to be introduced next year would make the sport more exciting for the riders, FIM President Vito Ippolito said in an interview.

Last year in October MotoGP giant Valentino Rossi was reported to have said ‘boring’ MotoGP was ‘too perfect’. 

“My personal feeling is that they have to change a lot for the future, because now is the worst moment for MotoGP since I was in it,” Rossi was reported to have said in a BBC interview.

“(It is the) most boring moment, because the races are quite bad. Look at Moto3, very exciting, Moto2 - fantastic - and then arrive at MotoGP, it is very difficult to stay awake. They have to change the product. The level is fantastic, the bikes and riders are very fast, but too perfect,” he was quoted to have said. 

When reminded about that interview, Ippolito said with a smile: “No (he’s not tired). I think he’s talking about technology. Sometimes too much of technology diminishes the human flair (on a bike). But this is under discussion.”

The 61-year-old FIM president added: “I hope, especially, in 2014 we will have new regulations which will allow to the riders to show more of their (natural riding) skill.” When asked if MotoGP was going to get better, Ippolito said: “Yes!”. 

Ippolito hoped Rossi would, who hasn’t won a Grand Prix since his victory at the Malaysian GP in October 2011, would turn things around in the new season set to begin at Losail International Circuit next month.

“Valentino Rossi is coming back with a very competitive bike and I think the new season will be really, really interesting,” Ippolito said.  

Ippolito, who was in Doha for the first round of the MX1 Motor cross World Championship, said Australia’s Casey Stoner, who retired last year, would be missed by the MotoGP family but  the sport would find new stars.

On 17 May 2012, two-time world champion Stoner announced that he would retire from MotoGP at the end of the 2012 season. 

Stoner stated that he was no longer enjoying competing in the series, which was one of the contributing factors to his decision to retire.

“I think there’s always a loss when a good rider like Casey Stoner leaves the sport. But the sport continues, that’s life,” Ippolito said. 

“He has personal reasons to do that (to quit). “But anyway, I am sure we will have am excellent MotoGP this year,” he added. “We have good riders in MotoGP,” Ippolito said. 

The first MotoGP race of the new season will be held on April 7.

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