Yamaha has confirmed it has signed former Tech3 MotoGP rider Jonas Folger as its European-based test rider for 2019, as it gets set to expand its test team outside of its current solely Japanese-based one.
Folger made his premier class debut last year with the Herve Poncheral's satellite Yamaha outfit, though the one-time podium finisher was forced to withdraw from the remaining four races after contracting Epstein Barr virus.
The German subsequently pulled out of his sophomore campaign with Tech3 at the start of this year to focus on recovery, but has since returned to on-track action in recent in several tests in recent months.
Yamaha currently does not have a European test team for its MotoGP effort, and confirmed it would be setting on up following ongoing troubles with its M1 this season.
Folger was brought to Aragon for last week's test to “learn” for his new role, with Yamaha boss Massimo Meregalli confirming to motogp.com it had agreed a deal with the German for him to become its test rider.
“Even if we didn't make an announcement, the choice was already made some time ago with Jonas,” Meregalli said.
“We asked him to join the test [at Aragon] because he needs to learn and listen to the rider comments on the bike.”
Folger made his first on-track appearance since last year's Aragon round at the Spanish venue in July for a test with Kalex on the new Triumph-engined Moto2 bike.
The German took a sensational maiden MotoGP podium at his home race at the Sachsenring last year, after pressing Honda's Marc Marquez for much of the 30-lap contest for victory.
Despite his absence from the final four races of 2017, Folger still ended his debut year 10th in the standings on 84 points. Triple Moto2 podium finisher Hafizh Syahrin was chosen as his replacement for this season.
Earlier on Friday, Italian marque Aprilia announced it had signed current KTM rider Bradley Smith as a test rider for its MotoGP project for next year.
Smith is set to make five wildcard appearances, including at the opening round of the new campaign in Qatar, though it is unknown if Folger make any race outings next year.
Due to the concession rules, Aprilia make a maximum of six wildcards, while Yamaha is permitted to just three.
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