MotoGP Yamaha: Andrea Dovizioso is signed until at least the end of 2022

Between Andrea Dovizioso and Yamaha, the reunion for a medium-term project was undoubtedly the worst kept secret in the Grand Prix paddock. So much so that we had forgotten the fact that there was nothing official. This is regularized on the eve of the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano.

It's official : Andrea Dovizioso is back on the grid MotoGP this weekend at Misano. And will stay there at least until the end of 2022. He signed a contract directly with Yamaha and will be part of the Petronas Sepang Racing Team. Next season, it will be the same, but without Petronas and with a teammate other than the one he will meet this weekend and who is none other than Valentino Rossi. During this time, Franco Morbidelli joins the factory team with immediate effect.

To Andrea Dovizioso, it's the return home Yamaha after almost a decade. In 2012, he was already driving an M1, at the time for the Tech3 team. The season had been rather successful for the Italian: he had taken six third places and finished the year in fourth place in the general classification.

Andrea Dovizioso will be the senior on the board in 2022

« Driving for Yamaha has always been my dream. That's why I didn't resist long when this opportunity presented itself ", said Dovizioso in the official Yamaha press release. “ But I also know that it will be a difficult challenge for me. I still have a lot to learn: a new bike, a new team, a new way of working ". And also face a new generation on the track…

The director of Yamaha Motorsport, Lynn Jarvis, however, has no major concerns in this regard: “ Andrea took a short break from MotoGP, but we are sure a rider of his caliber will get back on track quickly. We will provide him with the best possible support. We are happy that a MotoGP star like Andrea is part of our rider team »

A 35 years, Dovizioso is already in the middle age of MotoGP. He will be by far the oldest rider in the peloton in 2022. But his CV speaks for the man from Forli: he can boast of three vice-world championship titles, 15 race victories and 62 podiums in the queen category.