Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis has admitted former rider Jorge Lorenzo could return to M1 machinery in 2019 with a satellite team, but also thinks the triple world champion “might quit” the sport.
Lorenzo's second year as a Ducati rider has failed to produce the results both parties expected after a difficult initiation year with the Desmosedici in '17, with the Spaniard currently only 14th in the standings with a best result of sixth last time out at Le Mans.
With a renewal of his contract with Ducati looking increasingly unlikely, Lorenzo's other rumoured option of Suzuki looks to have slipped away from him also, with the Hamamatsu factory reportedly agreeing terms with Moto2 sensation Joan Mir to step up next year and join Alex Rins.
Recently, rumours of a return to Yamaha, with whom he won three titles in his time as a factory rider from '08-'16, with whatever satellite team takes the year-old M1s – likely Marc VDS – vacated by the KTM-bound Tech 3 team for Lorenzo have emerged.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia on the subject, Jarvis says his former rider's situation is “difficult to understand”, but admits a return to Yamaha for Lorenzo “could happen”.
“It's difficult to understand what will happen in Lorenzo's future, not least because he is not in an easy situation,” he said.
“He hasn't left Ducati yet, at least officially, although many say the divorce is a certainty.
“If you had asked me this question four weeks ago I would have told you that he would have ended up at Suzuki, but now that seems an improbable hypothesis.
“I repeat, he is in a very difficult situation, because he has always been a factory rider, and official rider and considered fundamental by the team.”
He added: “We'll see if Jorge continues or not. We should wait, but, in fact, he might quit. Also, because there is a possibility that next season there will be four or five places less in MotoGP.”
Yamah secured both of its current factory riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales on two-year deals earlier in the year, while Ducati confirmed it would be retaining Andrea Dovizioso through to the end of 2020.
After finishing second at Le Mans two weeks ago, Pramac rider Danilo Petrucci – who also has an offer to join Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia – said the seat alongside Dovizioso was between himself and teammate Jack Miller.
Honda will retain the services of Marc Marquez for two more years, and it was reported to have signed a pre-contract with Mir.
However, it failed to progress further with the young Spaniard, with Dani Pedrosa looking more likely to hold onto his place at Honda for at least one more year.
Triple World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea confirmed at Donington Park last weekend that he was “evaluating” offers to step over to MotoGP next year, which he suggested could be with a factory outfit.
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