MotoGP: Fenati Out of VR46
Michael Scott | August 20, 2016
Romano Fenati’s Sky VR46 KTM remained vacant at Brno, and the 20-year-old’s career in hiatus, after his race-eve suspension a week ago in Austria.
A statement from the Rossi-owned team before practice began in the Czech Republic confirmed that the split was permanent, after three years, and announced that from the next race his place in the three-rider team would be taken by Lorenzo Dalla Porta for the remainder of the season.
A hasty rescue attempt by Italian Ongetta Rivacold Honda team came to nothing, when HRC blocked their attempt to offer the seven-times GP winner a bike for the Brno race. The main reason was contract complications, according to a source close to Honda – with plans put on hold until next year.
Fenati has been released from his contract with the team, but still has a management contract with the VR46 empire.
More details of the melt-down also emerged. It seems that although no fisticuffs were involved, the last straw came in a couple of fits of temper at the Red Bull Ring, both in the pit and in the team’s hospitality unit.
From Fenati’s side also came denials of any violence, along with allegations that the arguments had concerned the team “not fulfilling contractual obligations.”
Fenati, known to be a volatile character and an uneasy member of Rossi’s so-called “magic circle”, was already under warning from the team for earlier displays. One major cause of trouble was having to share his crew chief with team rookie Nicolo Bulega, who then turned out to be as quick or quicker than the experienced Fenati.