Dovizioso's MotoGP Return With Yamaha Announced

Calum Gill 11:41 16/09/2021

Andrea Dovizioso will return to the MotoGP grid for the remainder of the 2021 season, linking up with the satellite Yamaha squad.

The former Ducati rider will take the seat vacated by Franco Morbidellli, who has been promoted to the factory team upon his return from injury, after the infamous split between former Yamaha factory rider and now-Aprilia man Maverick Viñales. Dovizioso will remain with the team beyond just the remaining races of 2021, achieving his goal of securing a return to action this year that leads into a longer-term contract, as a 2022 deal is also announced.

“We are delighted that a MotoGP star and talent like Andrea is joining the Yamaha line-up,” said Yamaha racing boss Lin Jarvis as the news was announced at Misano. “We warmly welcome him to the Yamaha MotoGP group as a very important member of our MotoGP programme. We have found ourselves in unprecedented circumstances this year that resulted in totally unexpected rider issues for both Yamaha teams. We experienced some unforeseen and unfortunate events, but we have been able to transform the problems into new opportunities.

“Andrea has been away from MotoGP for a short sabbatical, but we are certain that a rider of his calibre will soon find his speed again. We are really looking forward to working with him as a member of Yamaha‘s satellite team, and we will be supporting him in every way we can.”

However, much like Viñales at Aprilia, Dovizioso for his part admitted that the remaining five races of 2021 are unlikely to set the world on fire as he concentrates not on returning to winning ways immediately but rather on preparing for 2022, as he uses them as an opportunity to get back up to speed. “Racing with Yamaha has always been my dream, and that’s why when the opportunity arrived I did not think twice, although I know it’s going to be a tough challenge for me,” he admitted. “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!”