After disappearing from action from Motegi 2017 following a sort of burn-out, Jonas Folger made his return to the world of Grand Prix firstly as a Kalex Moto2 test rider then, at the end of Last year, as a Yamaha MotoGP test rider, then this season in Moto2 at Petronas to replace the injured Khairul Idham Pawi.
Since then, and despite relatively modest results (no points scored), the German driver seems to have found the sacred fire again and declares that he wants to do a full season in the intermediate category in 2020.
After his triple stint at Barcelona-Assen-Sachsenring, Jonas Folger explains enthusiastically: “This weekend was much better than Assen and Barcelona. I'm happy that I improved my driving skills significantly and I'm also happy that this was the first race in which I raced more aggressively and with a lot more confidence. I'm coming back more and more into racing mode... So, the combativeness is coming back little by little. So now it's about focusing a lot more on the current Moto2 category with the new Triumph engines. Now I just need to feel more comfortable with this package and its features. This should also be the first step towards preparations for next year. I have made the decision to race in Moto2 again next year and I hope I can find a team as good as this one. I have the desire to run again. Over the last three races, I quickly realized that the fire was still there. The desire and will to run became even stronger.”
“Therefore, from now on I will intensify my training and do everything in my power to find a successful package for next year. I really want to come back to this championship.”
The will is therefore there, but, despite the honorable results of “Folgas” in Moto2 (3 victories) and MotoGP (a 2nd place), the problem is not necessarily easy to resolve.
First of all, Yamaha's agreement is required. If we look at the case of other MotoGP test riders, none participate in a Grand Prix season. Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa do not race, Bradley Smith makes wildcards for Aprilia and MotoE, Sylvain Guintoli makes wildcards for Suzuki and the Suzuka 8 Hours, Stefan Bradl makes wildcards and substitutions for Honda, and only Michele Pirro regularly lines up in competition, namely in the Italian championship… For Ducati.
Let's get past this first obstacle to get to the second. Subjected to the stress of the MotoGP category, the German rider was forced to withdraw during the season. Whether we like it or not, this remains in the minds of all team managers, who also have to "sell" their package to advertisers, and if this does not constitute a prohibitive pitfall, it is very likely to intervene in the negotiations. Financial or not…
Finally, you need to find a team with undeniable attractiveness, whether through its level of performance or through possibilities for development.
As such, Petronas would seem a logical choice and, at least on the surface, we declare ourselves convinced by the experience.
Johan Stigefelt : “It's good to see his progress with the team and it's nice to see him happy and smiling again. In a way, it’s a shame that we can’t continue with him, but at the same time, it will be great to have KIP (Khairul Idham Pawi) back.”
The Malaysian driver must make his return to Brno and the Malaysian team is currently unable to obtain a second place on the grid.
Pour 2020, d’après nos informations, Khairul Idham Pawi pourrait/devrait « redescendre » en Moto3, ce qui laisserait la place vacante en Moto2. Mais cette place, très attractive car débouchant potentiellement sur le MotoGP, est évidemment très convoitée et, selon “radio paddock”, un jeune pilote Moto2 au patronyme célèbre tiendrait la corde…
On the other hand, the Kiefer team has already shown interest in Jonas Folger, on the condition of also obtaining a 2nd place on the grid, alongside Lukas Tulovic. Suffice to say that if the powerful Petronas sector does not manage to obtain one, there is very little chance that Jochen Kiefer's candidacy will be accepted...
If the German pilot's project turns out to be not as obvious as that, we nevertheless hope that it can succeed in order to see again great feats of arms like those that Jonas Folger offered us from time to time.
