Moto2: Mike di Meglio talks financial woes

By Lisa Lewis

Former 125cc World champion Mike Di Meglio found himself unemployed ahead of the Sachsenring race weekend.

Budget problems, which have beset him since the start of the season, finally saw him ousted for a rider who could bring more financial guarantees to the Speed Master Speed Up team.

Italian rider Alessandro Andreozzi, who has previously ridden at Silverstone this year on his own Andreozzi Reparto Corse bike.

Frenchman Di Meglio posted the following on his own website to clarify his position:

"After reading various comments about me, I want to really explain the situation as it is today.

"This winter, we had found a financial settlement with my team but they have never sent me the contract despite my many requests.

"Since the race of Qatar, they tripled the basic amount, thus putting me in a very difficult situation.

"I did everything to find additional sponsors, in vain. That is why this week, my team told me I would be replaced now with a bigger budget pilot.

"I am currently at the Sachsenring in order to solicit other teams. I have several contacts and hope to ride at Mugello and finish my season in good conditions.

"I want to sincerely apologize to all my sponsors and people who follow me, being in this position embarrasses me greatly."

Andreozzi crashed out at the Sachsenring after just six laps. di Meglio started the season well with a seventh in Qatar, but then went on a downward spiral as the financial pressure increased, not finishing in the points again until Assen, when he was 15th.

di Meglio is not alone in struggling with funding. Claudio Corti, who made the podium for the Italtrans Team in Le Mans, told GPOne.com as recently as May that "It's not over, if I am honest the budget to compete during the whole season is not there yet."

Others who have spoken publicly about the difficulty of funding their championship challenge for this season include Ant West, who lost his Speed Master MotoGP ride when he could not raise enough funds to satisfy the team before the start of the season.
He eventually found a seat in Moto2 at QMMF.Yonny Hernandez also had pre-season money woes with the BQR Avintia Blusens team.

Moto2 continues this weekend when the Championship goes to Mugello, Italy for round nine.