Official: Lorenzo to continue with Yamaha at least two more seasons
In a slightly unexpected early move, the Yamaha MotoGP team has today officially confirmed the contract extension with star rider Jorge Lorenzo. After Casey Stoner’s shock announcement to retire at the end of this season, much of the ensuing rumours about next year’s rider lineup have focused on what the Spaniard’s move will be and if Honda would be able to convince him to switch to the official HRC factory team despite his repeated statements of wanting to continue and possibly end his career with Yamaha.
But all these rumours have now been squashed very early with this announcement after only five races in the 2012 season. Below you can find the full press release.
It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd can confirm the extension of Jorge Lorenzo’s contract to ride for the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team for 2013 and 2014.
Jorge Lorenzo joined Yamaha in 2008, achieving fourth place in his first season and claiming the Rookie of the Year title. He was then second in 2009, went on to become MotoGP World Champion in 2010 and was second again in 2011.
Lorenzo currently leads the 2012 MotoGP World Championship by 20 points having taken three victories from the first five completed races of the 18 race series.
Jorge Lorenzo “I am extremely happy to have signed with Yamaha for two more years. They’ve made great efforts to retain me in the Factory Team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this. I’ve been treated like part of the Yamaha family since 2008 and I love working with them. It has always been my first option to stay here and so I’m happy that this important negotiation has finished with such a positive outcome. Now I can focus on the Championship and I’m looking forward to paying back Yamaha’s trust in me starting at Silverstone this weekend. I look forward to winning many more Championships together; my dream to finish my career with Yamaha is now closer to becoming a reality!”
Lin Jarvis – Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
“This is excellent news for Yamaha and for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team. Jorge has been with us since 2008 and achieved superb results in the first four years, the highlight being his World Championship victory in 2010. He’s currently on top form having won three of the first five GP races and finishing second in the other two. Jorge’s contract extension allows both him and Yamaha to concentrate 100% on this year’s Championship challenge without any distractions and also to make future plans together to further strengthen the winning partnership.”
Source: Yamaha MotoGP
