Rossi keen on getting Dovizioso as Yamaha MotoGP exam rider

Valentino Rossi says he would “sign now” if Yamaha has the chance to recruit outgoing Ducati star Andrea Dovizioso as a test rider for 2021.

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Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing, Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Workforce

Dovizioso’s long run in MotoGP is unsure following he announced in the course of previous month’s Austrian Grand Prix weekend that he would be quitting Ducati at the close of the period, bringing to an end an eight-year partnership that has yielded 14 victories and 3 runner-up places in the championship.

At the time, Dovizioso admitted he experienced no “approach B” for his foreseeable future, and the MotoGP factors chief however has no update to offer.

He has been connected to ride with Aprilia – which has also been talking to Cal Crutchlow – but CEO Massimo Rivola conceded Aprilia most likely could not manage Dovizioso.

Dovizioso is open up to taking a sabbatical in 2021, with a exam rider role most likely to include wildcard appearances – nevertheless only Aprilia would be ready to offer him more than a few owing to the concession policies.

With Jorge Lorenzo’s part as Yamaha examination rider not secured outside of this year, Rossi was requested if he would like Dovizioso as an alternative.

“About Dovi [as Yamaha test rider], for positive,” he replied. “I’d indicator now to have Dovi as a take a look at rider.

“But I feel, and I hope that he will discover a bicycle for racing, because I believe he is young and quick to race.”

Following his disastrous 2019 campaign with Honda, Lorenzo retired from racing at the close of calendar year and returned to Yamaha as a take a look at rider.

On the other hand, he has only concluded two times on a 2019-spec M1 so considerably this yr – 1 at the Sepang shakedown, and the moment all through the official Sepang check.

He is because of to ride the Yamaha at the Algarve circuit in the coming weeks as portion of a Michelin tyre take a look at forward of November’s season-ending Portuguese Grand Prix.

In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com this 7 days, Lorenzo stated his “priority” was to renew his deal with Yamaha for following 12 months – while confirmed rival makes have spoken to him.

Rossi and Fabio Quartararo questioned Yamaha’s decision not to take a look at with Lorenzo at Misano in June to consider the new floor when its rivals did.

Yamaha later disclosed this was a consequence of its examination team, which is largely dependent in Japan, staying unable to get to Europe owing to COVID-19 limitations.

Yamaha did have a European-dependent test team headed by Jonas Folger in 2019 as very well as its Japanese arm, but it was thought better to merge the two groups going forward.

Alex Rins was also asked about the likelihood of Dovizioso staying signed by Suzuki to bolster its test team for 2021.

He thinks the Italian would be an “appealing alternative” because of his experience of Ducati, Yamaha and Honda machinery in the premier class.

“For guaranteed, will be an exciting possibility due to the fact to have Sylvain [Guintoli] and Dovizioso will be ideal, for the reason that Dovi has a lot of working experience and he is familiar with the relaxation of the bikes,” Rins stated.

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