Reports from Japanese news agencies and rumours from all over Europe are suggesting that Kawasaki are now re-thinking their withdrawal from MotoGP as it could cost upwards of $20m in penalties and incurred costs.

And their team manager Michael Bartholemy has apparently been called to Tokyo in order to try and sort out the next steps.

Kawasaki have a contract with Dorna, whose boss Carmelo Ezpeleta was in attendance at today's Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Association meeting,  until 2011 and would incur massive penalities if they were to withdraw.

So, instead of paying those, it would seem the team may soldier on with a much smaller budget and maybe one rider, which is bound to be John Hopkins as he holds the Monster drinks purse strings.

More as we get it.