MOTORSPORT
Morbidelli joins Yamaha MotoGP team, paving way for Dovizioso’s return
Franco Morbidelli returns for the weekend’s San Marino race after recovering from knee surgery, while Andrea Dovizioso replaces him at Yamaha’s Malaysian-run satellite outfit
Italian Franco Morbidelli has joined the factory Yamaha MotoGP team with immediate effect on a two-year deal, while compatriot Andrea Dovizioso replaces him at Yamaha’s Malaysian-run satellite outfit, the Japanese manufacturer said on Thursday.
Morbidelli, returning from surgery to his left knee, has signed for Yamaha until the end of 2023 and rejoins his former team mate and championship leader Fabio Quartararo for this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.
The 26-year-old Italian took his first win at the circuit in 2020.
“I’ve been trying to recover as much as possible for the final stage of this championship. I wanted to make my comeback at a track I know well and have great memories of, like Misano,” Morbidelli said.
Yamaha said Dovizioso, 35, would race for the Petronas Yamaha team in the last five races of 2021 alongside Valentino Rossi, who retires at the end of the season. Dovizioso will also race with the outfit in 2022 when it becomes a new and renamed entity.
The veteran, who left Ducati at the end of last season, is a three-time MotoGP championship runner-up but has spent all of this year on the sidelines.
Dovizioso had said in November that he aimed to return “within an organisation that shares my same objectives, values and working methods”.
“Racing with Yamaha has always been my dream, and that’s why when the opportunity arrived I did not think twice, though I know it’s going to be a tough challenge for me,” he said on Thursday. “I’ve got many things ahead of me to learn: a new bike, a new team, a new working system. It’s a big challenge that starts at Misano, my home GP. This makes it even more exciting. I can’t wait to be aboard my M1.”
Yamaha MD Lin Jarvis said the original plan had been for Morbidelli to join next year but “following a sudden rider line-up change midseason, we had the chance to let him upgrade early”.
The vacancy was created by the departure of Spaniard Maverick Vinales, who has since joined Aprilia.
Reuters