DOVIZIOSO TO MAKE MOTOGP RACE RETURN NEXT MONTH

If all goes to plan, three-time MotoGP World Championship runner-up Andrea Dovizioso will return with the Petronas Sepang Racing team from Misano onwards.

The Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Lin Jarvis revealed plans that will see the popular Italian ‘Dovi’ return earlier than scheduled with the satellite Yamaha squad, while Italian Franco Morbidelli will take an early promotion to the factory team.

This has all come about after relations between Maverick Vinales and Yamaha deteriorated and resulted in the two parties electing to go their separate ways with immediate effect following the Austrian Grand Prix.

“I can tell you, it’s not an announcement per se because we only announce when contracts are signed, but we have reached verbal agreement with Andrea (Dovizioso) and his management,” Jarvis revealed.

“Andrea will join very soon, the plan is from Misano. Andrea will join what is currently the Petronas Sepang Racing Team and then will also ride next year for that team.”

The Petronas Sepang Racing Team will take on a new entity with both title backers pulling support at the end of the year, however the same management will remain for 2022.

Morbidelli has been racing for the Petronas outfit since 2019 and finished as the runner-up in the championship last year.

This year Morbidelli has scored one podium, but has been forced to miss the last four races due to injury.

The Japanese manufacturer sees the Italian’s talent and will promote him up to the factory team alongside his former teammate Fabio Quartararo from Misano onwards and remain at the team into 2022.

“Things are not yet signed off so this is not an announcement,” Jarvis reiterated.

“Basically, whenever you have a problem in life, business or whatever, problems need to be solved, but problems also create opportunities for other things, and in this case I would say the problem that we have, creates an opportunity for Frankie (Morbidelli).”

“So, Frankie Morbidelli will, ahead of schedule, upgrade into the factory team, obviously our plan is to have Frankie as a factory rider next year.

“Due to this sudden termination mid-season, we will also upgrade Frankie mid-season. This is yet to be defined, but we have a clear plan together with him and his management and we’re working towards that right now.”

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