Motorsport: Stoner rejects V8 speculation

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has flatly rejected speculation he will race V8 Supercars next year.

Stoner, who will retire at the end of the season, will be just 27 when he makes his final appearance at home in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island in October.

He cited a loss of passion for racing and a desire for family time with wife Adriana and baby daughter Alessandra as the main reasons for his retirement.

"Am I going to race V8s next year? No, I'm going to stay home and watch my little girl grow up for a while," Stoner said.

"I want to enjoy that moment when you don't have to go testing and prepare yourself perfectly for a race season.

"I want to enjoy myself and be free. Number one, I will enjoy my family and not have to stress about the next race."

Rumours of an immediate switch by Stoner to V8 racing, joining the 888 Team of Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, have also been denied by team boss Roland Dane.

Dane confirmed he had no plans to expand his team with Ipswich 300 winner Lowndes and Whincup both under contract next year.

Following his win in last week's US Grand Prix, Stoner is equal fourth in the all-time winners' list with 37 victories, level with the legendary Mike Hailwood.

MotoGP promoters are predicting Stoner could be offered wildcard invitations to races in the second half of the 2013 season, perhaps the Phillip Island GP.

"I'd have to think about it and I haven't thought about it too much. I just want to finish this year and do the best I can," Stoner said.

"I've had no second thoughts - I'm retiring from full-time racing."

Rumours that Stoner would pay $2.5 million for a V8 Supercar franchise and run his own team were also dismissed by his father and business manager Colin Stoner.

"Absolutely not - Casey won't be paying for a team licence, that is for sure," Colin Stoner said.

"If he needed to do that just to race, he can go and ride motorbikes for a lot, lot more money."

- AAP