Reigning MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title winner Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) will have to wait until at least 2024 for a potential MotoGP™ switch, according to Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis. Jarvis, who is also the Team Principal at the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ squad, discussed the situation for Yamaha in 2023 following a shake-up of the satellite teams on the MotoGP™ grid.

With the current satellite Yamaha team, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™, switching to Aprilia machinery for at least 2023 and 2024, the Japanese manufacturer will only have two bikes on the MotoGP™ grid for next season. This means Razgatlioglu’s chances of a MotoGP™ chance with Yamaha for next season have been diminished with the team set to continue with reigning MotoGP™ Champion Fabio Quartararo and Italian rider Franco Morbidelli.

At the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, Jarvis talked about Razgatlioglu’s upcoming MotoGP™ test and his potential MotoGP™ future. He said: “The meaning behind the test was his interest to try the MotoGP™ bike as well. Secondly, it was a bit of a reward from Yamaha for his Championship last year and his continued commitment with Yamaha for the future. So, I think the biggest target for that test remains the same. Relax, test, enjoy and experience the MotoGP™ bike, to get a taste of what it could be like if he chooses to move in the future. But obviously this news of not having a satellite team, in any case, means we don’t have a spot, period, because we will only have two bikes in the factory team.”

Razgatlioglu will get a chance to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 machine in the upcoming weeks as he continues his WorldSBK title defence. It has been a difficult start for Razgatlioglu’s defence with no wins so far in nine races but has claimed eight podiums so far. Razgatlioglu is third in the Championship standings, trailing Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in second by 35 points and leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by 52 points.

Photo credit: Yamaha Motor Racing

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