This is a transcript of an impromtu press conference that happened at Mugello between HRC managing director Kosuke Yasutakeand the MotoGP press regarding the move from 250s to 600s as the MotoGP support class.

Q: Explain the position of the MSMA or Honda regarding the replacement for the 250cc class.

Yasutake: The result of the MSMA meetings will not be disclosed, I believe.

Q:Then tell us your point of view.

Y: We believe the next 250cc class is for those young riders who wish to move up to the MotoGP class. They can improve skill there.

Q: What type of machine do you think is the best for that?

Y: We think four-stroke is the future and we are moving toward that. I hope we can compete with machines which will have equal or greater performance compared to current two stroke machines.

Q: What do you think of Dorna's proposal in Le Mans? About 625-650cc?

Y: I think 625-650cc sounds like something in between. I guess they proposed the capacity due to some kind of restriction. We could understand if it were 600cc.

Q: Do you see a conflict between the promoters?

Y: If so, I can understand the background of the proposal. But I doubt any manufacturer can make such an engine (625cc).

Q: May be Kawasaki can.

Q: If it were 600cc the FIM would not allow the class as it would be in conflict with Flammini's contract. The FIM may use its veto; that is why Dorna has raised the capacity.

Y: .....

Q: If Honda is not interested, who would make the engine for the new Championship?

Y: I didn't say we are not interested. We have to have a regulation which will let us provide the hardware continuously.

Q: Do you think a 600cc in-line four would be best?

Y: If we are to provide high performance hardware with reduced cost, then 600cc four-cylinder has a lot of possibilities. Q: Do you mean in-line four or just 600cc?

Y; We are talking about the possibilities. We already have inline-four engine so that would keep costs down.

Q: Why couldn't the MSMA come up with rules which will satisfy all the manufacturers? Is it because the European manufacturers don't like the proposal made by the Japanese manufacturers and Ducati?

Y: There is an idealistic way of thinking and a realistic way of thinking. Those two cannot come close at the moment, I think.

Q: Two days ago during the MSMA meeting, Honda proposed a spec Engine and almost all the manufacturers supported the idea. Is it true?

Y: Honda has not proposed this idea.

Q: Maybe Honda didn't propose it, but there was a vote on a spec-engine rule and a majority supported the proposal. Is it true? We hear that the spec engine would be made by Honda.

Y: I understand the debate was not about whether you support the idea of a spec engine or not. However, Honda does not object to the idea of Mono Engine, I hear.

Q: Are you interested in supplying engines if the class uses a spec engine?

Y: I only heard about this idea today so we have to discuss it. But as for a spec engine, Honda wishes as many manufacturers as possible to take part in the Championship.

Q: About a year ago, Mr. Horiike, speaking personally, said he is interested in 500cc twins. What is Mr. Yasutake's opinion?

Y: If we talk of the ideal world, you can produce that kind of engine with a lot of money. But I don't think there is a manufacturer with the capacity to produce that kind of engine continuously.

Q: We hear KTM will propose such an engine.

Y: I hear the number is very limited.

Q: If we improve Fuel Injection and such, two-stroke engines might produce lower emissions. What do you think about that?

Y; There will be many possibilities and approaches. However, the MSMA decided to go for four-strokes.

Q: If you think of the cost, it might be four-stroke 600cc. But the weight of 600cc motorcycle is around 170kg at the moment and the riders from 125cc will have difficulties riding the machine.

Y: If we were to consider such a machine, we can produce a motorcycle which weighs less than 140kg.

Q: How about 125cc

Y: 125cc will become four-stroke also. However, at the moment our priority is to decide the regulations for the 250cc replacement class.

Q: What do you think of the idea of a spec ECU?

Y: Engines differ by manufacturer so it is necessary to use their original ECU in order to get the best performance. But maybe we can have a spec rev limiter.

Q: When do you think we will get a decision on this issue?

Y: At the moment we are ready to propose our idea, which we have discussed within the MSMA, to the GP Commission. We need a little more time.

Q: At the moment, we have many good riders in 250cc class. Why do you have to change the situation?

Y: We, the manufacturers, have agreed to change to four-stroke and now we are discussing how to make the move.

Q: Why is DORNA proposing the regulations? Isn't it the responsibility of the MSMA to make a proposal?

Y: DORNA is not proposing everything. We, the MSMA, are proposing what has been discussed within the MSMA. It is not that we are following the idea of DORNA.

Q: If it is four-stroke, 600cc, four-cylinder, the regulation will cause a conflict between Flammini and Dorna within the FIM.

Y: I sincerely hope that FIM, Dorna and FG Sport would have a good discussion and solve the problems.