Anthony West will miss his MotoGP return due to a lack of funds in 2012.

Australia’s Anthony West will sit out MotoGP in 2012 after failing to raise the required sponsorship dollars for his seat on the Speed Master team.

West revealed the news via Facebook last week, hinting at a premature retirement back home in Queensland.

“I will not race in MotoGP this year or any other race because I can not find sponsorship to pay the Speed Master team,” West wrote. “Because all teams are asking for money from the riders, only the rich can race in MotoGP/Moto2/Moto3.

“I cannot even afford to ride a year for free as I [am] yet to be paid from my former team, MZ Germany Moto2 team. I had my car, motocross bike and my house for sale trying to keep the ride and even gave the house as a guarantee if I did not find the money, but [that] was not enough.

“I will most likely not race any more and will [return] to Australia to find a normal job. Sorry to my fans.”

The seat was quickly snapped up by Italian Mattia Pasini.