Three-time champion Jorge Lorenzo makes a return to MotoGP with Yamaha in a test rider role from 2020 season onward, it has been announced.
Only few months after announcing his retirement from MotoGP, Lorenzo is making his return with Yamaha in 2020 in a test rider role. The Spaniard will ride the YZR-M1 in the February 2-4 test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
He will also take part in other official IRTA Tests and some private Yamaha tests. There are no planned wildcard runs for Lorenzo but should he wish to race, the Japanese manufacturer will be happy to accommodate him in the race team.
“I‘m very happy with the decision to join the Yamaha Factory Test Team,” said Lorenzo. “I was always planning on staying involved in MotoGP and returning to the paddock, and I think this is a suitable role for me. I know the team and the M1 well.
“The Yamaha really suited my riding style, and it will be very interesting to ’meet up with my old bike again‘. Returning to Yamaha brings with it some good memories. We secured many podiums and victories, and three titles together, so we know where our strengths lie.
“I want to thank Yamaha for this opportunity because this allows me to do what I love – riding motorbikes and pushing the limit – whilst enjoying a slightly calmer lifestyle than I did in previous years. I‘m very motivated to get to work and can‘t wait to start riding.
“I want to do my best for Yamaha‘s future, and I hope my riding experience will be helpful to Yamaha‘s engineers and riders to bring the title back to Yamaha.” At the same time, Lin Jarvis, added: “Of course, we are delighted to welcome Jorge back at Yamaha.
“When we knew that Lorenzo would stop his active racing career, we immediately started to consider making a proposal for him to join us. The statistics of his achievements with us in those nine years together speak for themselves.
“He is a vastly experienced MotoGP rider, who is closely familiar with the M1 and the people at Yamaha. We have come to know Jorge as a very precise and motivated rider, with flawless consistency and good technical insight.
“He has all the qualities you need in a test rider at this high level. Combining Jorge‘s experience, knowledge, and riding speed with experienced Crew Chief Silvano Galbusera is an important element in Yamaha‘s strategy to strengthen the Test Team.
“It aims to bridge the gap between the engineers and test riders in Japan and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team.” Lorenzo joins Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales in the Yamaha line-up along with satellite riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli.
Here’s the news of Fabio Quartararo joining Yamaha
Here’s the news on Maverick Vinales