Razgatlioglu ends MotoGP connections with new Yamaha WSBK deal

Razgatlioglu was one of the names associated with Yamaha’s satellite MotoGP roster for 2022, which faces the loss of its two current riders for next season.

Maverick Vinales’ shocking departure from the Yamaha factory team could lead current Petronas man Franco Morbidelli to move to that seat, while Valentino Rossi will retire at the end of the 2021 season.

Petronas SRT’s list of options for 2022 has shrunk after Razgatlioglu committed to WSBK with Yamaha through late 2023 – but the Turkish rider hasn’t completely ruled out a MotoGP switch in the future.

“Yamaha has become like my family and I am very happy to be able to sign for another two years,” said Razgatlioglu.

“I think we’ve improved the bike a lot since I started the 2020 season, so the decision was easy for me.

“We’re fighting for the championship this year, we’re very close to the top and I have the best people around me in the Pata Yamaha with Brixx Team Pit Box who help me achieve my goals.

“I like the WorldSBK paddock and am looking forward to racing here. Maybe I’ll think about MotoGP in the future, but right now I’m totally focused on getting the job done here at WorldSBK.

“Thanks to everyone who worked on it, and now I’m looking forward to the future with Yamaha.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Aruba.It Racing – Ducati

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Ahead of the WSBK round in Donington this weekend, Razgatlioglu finished second in the overall standings after taking his first campaign win in the second main race at the last race in Misano. He is 20 points behind six-time world champion Jonathan Rea.

Razgatlioglus Yamaha WSBK stable mate Garrett Gerloff – who drives for the Satellite GRT team – drove for Petronas SRT instead of Morbidelli at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend and has expressed the desire to ride full-time in MotoGP.

Razgatlioglus Yamaha WSBK stable colleague Garrett Gerloff – who drives for the satellite GRT team – drove at the SRT Grand Prix of Holland last weekend instead of Morbidelli and has expressed the desire to drive full-time in MotoGP.

He remains an option for SRT in 2022, as do Moto2 riders Xavi Vierge and Jake Dixon.

SRT’s first choice to replace Rossi should he retire was Moto2 rookie Raul Fernandez, but Autosport reported last week that the Spaniard will now sign with Tech3 in MotoGP and stay with the KTM family.