Dovizioso, very close to a return to Yamaha

At the end of 2020, Andrea Dovizioso decided to take a sabbatical year after 327 GP starts, including 229 in the premier category. During his 13 seasons spent in MotoGP, the Italian, now 35 years old, has won 15 victories and a total of 62 podiums, including six during his only year with Yamaha in 2012. And precisely, it is under the colors of the Iwata firm that Dovizioso should make his return, starting in September.

With the termination of Maverick Viñales' contract, Yamaha is looking for a replacement to conclude the season. For the moment, it is Cal Crutchlow, the brand's test driver, who is acting as interim driver, but the Briton is struggling to regain his level from last year. For this reason, the factory is expected to promote Franco Morbidelli earlier than expected to the factory team alongside his former teammate fabio quartararo.

But this early transfer will force the Petronas Yamaha SRT team, a Yamaha satellite structure, to find a replacement. Dovizioso is therefore the ideal candidate to replace Morbidelli and keep this same place in 2022. Simone Bastistella, manager of Dovizioso, whom we were able to meet in the Silverstone paddock, is negotiating to finish the season at Petronas Yamaha SRT and continue in 2022 in the satellite team which will no longer bear this name following the announcement of the withdrawal of Petronas from the Grands Prix.

Several details remain to be resolved, starting with that of the motorcycle. If Dovizioso does indeed decide to make his return next month to replace Morbidelli on a YZR-M1 from two years ago, there is no doubt that he wants to have the same equipment as his two counterparts on the official team in 2022. According to our information, the new sponsor of the satellite structure should be WithU, an Italian internet and energy provider, but will the subsidies be enough to ensure a factory machine in Dovizioso?

Also, after long months away from the circuits, will Dovizioso, world vice-champion from 2017 to 2019 behind Marc Marquez, be able to return to his former level quickly? Crutchlow returned to the MotoGP paddock at the Styrian GP and this return is far from being a cakewalk for the Briton. Even though Dovizioso has done some riding for Aprilia, the tests have nothing to do with a race weekend. And after eight seasons in the Ducati ranks, the return to Yamaha does not look as simple as it seems. It is therefore a major challenge that would await Dovizioso.