American Garrett Gerloff is one of the many names rumored to ride a Yamaha in MotoGP next year. A list that the announced departure of Maverick Vinales and the expected departure of Valentino Rossi at the end of this season have led to. The 25-year-old Texan was not among the favorites at the start, but with the successive defections of potential candidates ahead of him for an M1 Grand Prix, his odds continue to rise. From Donington where he is having his WSBK meeting with the R1, he takes stock…
At 25, the American Garrett Gerloff risks seeing his career take a radical trajectory this season. The type to join MotoGP altogether on a good Yamaha while finding himself on an Iwata machine in WSBK in 2021 was already a sort of achievement for this rider from MotoAmerica. But the decision to Casa Particular in Viñales to leave his position before the end of his contract has moved the lines and opened up new windows of opportunity. Exactly, gerloff is a maverick.
His appearances in the Grand Prix at Valencia last year, as a temporary replacement for Red, and recently at Assen to fill the void left by Morbidely operated on the knee did not leave a bad impression. But from there to becoming a regular pilot Petronas Yamaha in MotoGP in 2022… And yet, the Texan sees his chances increasing as the candidates in front of him withdraw…
gerloff rolls at Donington this weekend with the Giansanti Racing team in the Superbike World Championship. A team he has been with since 2020. So far, he has won four podiums. The Italians would like to continue with him, just like with his teammate Kohta Nozane came from Japan. But he takes stock of this real opportunity in MotoGP: “ it was a good experience and a fabulous opportunity that Petronas Yamaha SRT offered me “, remembers the American about his time in Assen. “ It was a little difficult because it was so short. And then it all hit me at once. But I wouldn't change anything. It was fun and I learned a lot. It gives me the motivation to continue ».
Garrett Gerloff: “MotoGP is where I want to be, but…”
Then he gets to the point… “ At the moment we have no discussions ", said gerloff on speedweek about his possible future in MotoGP. “ If this were to happen, I would have to weigh the pros and cons. But I don't want to think about it until the time comes. Of course, my goal is to compete in MotoGP one day. This has been my goal since I was a kid and started running. MotoGP is where I want to be. But I also have to make sure the timing and conditions are right. At the moment I only have GRT on my screen ».
Sure, but gerloff is definitely on the radar. “ Garrett impressed a lot of people ", declared the director of the Petronas team, Razlan Razali. " Don't give up on your dream of returning to MotoGP!» And the Malaysian added “ I'm sure we'll see you again soon ».
It will be recalled that within the Yamaha factory team in WSBK, Toprak Razgatlioglu has extended his contract by two years until the end of 2023. This is also expected to continue with Andrea Locatelli, the 2020 Supersport champion. And the Iwata manufacturer's positions still remain up for grabs in MotoGP…
