Andrea Dovizioso appears to be on the verge of an unexpected return to MotoGP with Yamaha. At 38, when no one expected to see him racing again, the Italian has been secretly testing the Yamaha M1, notably at Mugello and recently at Misano, and the feelings have been positive. Yamaha, in search of a recovery, seem to have found in Dovizioso a valuable asset for the development of the M1, in a role that would extend at least for the current season. Although it is not yet certain that he will take part in races, he is already being considered for testing. Which worries another rider who thought he had found a plan B to continue his career in MotoGP…
One of the possible consequences of this return is in fact the postponement or questioning of the appointment ofAugusto Fernandez as a test pilot for
Yamaha. Fernandez, who appeared to be on the verge of signing a contract, could see his plans disrupted by the presence of Dovizioso. However, it is likely that both drivers could coexist in the project.
Yamaha. Dovizioso thus seems reluctant to use “wild cards” to participate in races, thereby leaving the possibility to Fernandez to use them, while maintaining a more development-oriented role for Dovizioso.
Yamaha will also rely on Andrea Dovizioso to relaunch its MotoGP project
Cal Crutchlowthe current test pilot, being physically exhausted,
Yamaha might need this duo to continue the development of the bike. Crutchlow
no longer appears able to play a major role in this process, and his future as a test pilot remains uncertain. According to
Massimo MeregalliYamaha team director,
Dovizioso has already been asked to participate in case of unavailability of Crutchlow.
Regarding a long-term future at Yamaha,
Dovizioso remains evasive for the moment, indicating that it was not the time to discuss it. However, with the prospect of creating a second team with
Pramac and the efforts invested by
Yamaha to return to the top, it is possible that
Dovizioso become a key figure in the upcoming MotoGP project, particularly for the development of the 2025 prototypes.
