Lorenzo joins Yamaha as test rider
The 32-year-old Spaniard, who achieved all three of his MotoGP World Championships with Yamaha, returns to the manufacturer for the first time since 2016.
“I’m very happy with the decision to join the Yamaha Factory Test Team. I was always planning on staying involved in MotoGP and returning to the paddock, and I think this is a suitable role for me,” Lorenzo stated. “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’.”
Suggesting the pressure of racing had impacted him in a negative way, Lorenzo added: “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.”
Lin Jarvis, MD of Yamaha Motor Racing, said feelers were put out for Lorenzo to join their test team soon after his announced his retirement from racing.
“When we knew that Jorge would stop his active racing career, we immediately started to consider making a proposal for him to join us. He is a vastly experienced MotoGP rider, who is closely familiar with the M1 and the people at Yamaha.
"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, which aims to bridge the gap between the engineers and test riders in Japan and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team."
Galbusera was Valentino Rossi’s crew chief from 2014 to 2019, but has been replaced by David Muñoz for 2020.
Lorenzo’s first seat time on the 2020 Yamaha YZR-M1 came at the Sepang shakedown test (ahead of the official MotoGP test on 7-9 February), where the Spaniard finished eighth fastest overall. At the official MotoGP test, Lorenzo’s best was 20th and fifth-placed Yamaha.
Adamant that he was done with racing when he retired, Lorenzo has recently suggested he may do wildcard rides this year. Yamaha are open to this, too, stating that, while no wildcard rides are planned, they’re open to the possibility should Lorenzo decide to race again.
