Honda is hoping to extend the test rider program of double world champion Casey Stoner into 2015, as they show no sign of relenting on the team's current domination of MotoGP.
While Stoner, 29, is happily in retirement from full time racing, Honda is keen for his continued input on the development of the RC213V.
Honda race boss Shuhei Nakamoto was shocked when Stoner retired at just 27 and remains a devoted fan of his speed and skill. He hopes to persuade Stoner to be part of the test program again next year.
Last week Stoner completed a one-off test of the 2015 prototype of the RC213V at Motegi in Japan, making it clear that racing was not on his agenda. It was Stoner's first ride on a MotoGP bike in a year.
But having won 13 out 17 races so far this season (Marquez 12, Pedrosa 1) Honda wants the winning to continue. Yamaha has won the other four races, two each to Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
“I don’t know if Casey will do more tests but I will ask if he is interested because I would be interested to do some more work with him in the future," Nakamoto said.
Honda has a busy 2105 test program with the additional workload of evaluating the Michelin tires that will replace Bridgestone from 2016 onwards.
Stoner won the 2011 MotoGP world championship with Honda and then retired at the end of the 2012 season.
Stoner tested the latest engine upgrades for 2015 plus back-to-back runs on Bridgestone and Michelin tires at the Motegi test.
“The chassis is the same (as tested at Brno in August) but the engine is a little bit different and has been designed more for top power," Nakamoto added.
With Marc Marquez securing his second consecutive world title this season, Honda has now won three out of the past four world championships - 2011 (Stoner) and 2013/14 (Marquez) - a sequence only interrupted by Lorenzo's 2012 crown.
