Something I have always wondered is why a rider contract runs until the end of the calendar year instead of the last race of the season. It seems if a rider is going to be fired, he wouldn't be testing in November or December. If a top rider was known to be switching teams, he wouldn't be allowed to test his old teams new bike either.
In the past riders like Rossi switching to Yamaha meant he missed out testing the M1 until 1/1/04.
Mybe the contracts are more about marketing materials - for instance, what's the point of winning the rider's championship if you can't use the rider's image in print publications the day after the championship is decided?
This is probably why when someone switches teams you see them in sponsor-free leathers, and sponsor/brand-free race glass.
Could it also be because of potential bonuses, and tax reasons? Not t hat these companies don't employ an army of accountants, but racing is a business, and anything to make the business easier and cheaper will normally get implemented. It might also make life easier for te riders. Just a guess on my part.
Could it also be because of potential bonuses, and tax reasons? Not t hat these companies don't employ an army of accountants, but racing is a business, and anything to make the business easier and cheaper will normally get implemented. It might also make life easier for te riders. Just a guess on my part.
Sorry Doug, but bonuses have no factor in a calendar year...however taxes do ONLY if they extend or fall over to the next calendar year.....if contracts did NOT end at the end of a calendar year, then they would be an issue....ending a business relationship at the end of a calendar year wraps up the deal conclusively for all parties and the tax man. Letting a rider who will not be a part of the following year's lineup move on early is purely a company decision. Some companies have more class than others....some companies show class some years and not in others....Honda comes to mind. Throw an anchor around Rossi but then, years later, let Hayden loose. Ducati let Melandri immediately jump ship. Yamaha have let many riders over the years move to a new team early.
You still foolin' around with Warthogs?
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Sorry Doug, but bonuses have no factor in a calendar year...however taxes do ONLY if they extend or fall over to the next calendar year.....if contracts did NOT end at the end of a calendar year, then they would be an issue....ending a business relationship at the end of a calendar year wraps up the deal conclusively for all parties and the tax man. Letting a rider who will not be a part of the following year's lineup move on early is purely a company decision. Some companies have more class than others....some companies show class some years and not in others....Honda comes to mind. Throw an anchor around Rossi but then, years later, let Hayden loose. Ducati let Melandri immediately jump ship. Yamaha have let many riders over the years move to a new team early.
You still foolin' around with Warthogs?
Thanks for the info, like I said, it was just a guess on my part. I'm still playng with the A-10's for at least 3.5 more years, we'll see what I work when we leave Germany. Still enjoying it so far. Looks like we're planning a track day in Spain come March. BruntR who is also a member here will be flying back for that as well. It'll be interesting to wtch Moto GP, and WSBK this coming year with all the off season moves, should hopefully provide for some good acton!!!
Why do contracts run until 12/31?
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