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ANDREA DOVIZIOSO WILL RETIRE AT SAN MARINO

Dovizioso will retire exactly one year after joining Yamaha‘s MotoGP programme.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have confirmed Andrea Dovizioso will retire from the MotoGP championship after his home round in San Marino this September. This marks the end of a 20-year career in Grand Prix racing for the Italian.

The 2012 MotoGP season saw Dovizioso compete in the Tech3 Yamaha satellite team, with positive results including fourth place in the final standings. Last year he rejoined the Yamaha Satellite line-up taking over from Franco Morbidelli who moved up to the Factory Team.

Dovizioso’s intention was of course to finish the complete 2022 season on the factory-spec YZR-M1, but his inability to feel comfortable on the bike has led to his decision to leave the team after his home Grand Prix in Misano.

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha‘s official test rider will fill the gap in the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Andrea Dovizioso, retirement, British MotoGP 4 August 2022

Andrea Dovizioso still described the last year as a positive experience.

“In 2012, the experience with the Iwata manufacturer in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility presented itself, actually in a somewhat daring way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well.

“Unfortunately, in recent years MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike, and I have not been able to make the most of its potential despite the precious and continuous help from the team and the whole of Yamaha.”

“The results were negative, but beyond that, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties, you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well. We did not reach the desired objectives, but the consultations with the Yamaha technicians and with those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained loyal and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments: it was not so obvious that that would happen.”

“For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, the RNF Racing Team, WithU, and the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn’t go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all.”

Andrea Dovizioso, Dutch MotoGP race, 26 June 2022

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing says Dovizioso still has full factory support for his final three races.

“of course, we are all sad that Andrea will be leaving the sport earlier than expected. He is a big name in MotoGP, and he will be missed in the paddock.”

“We considered ourselves very lucky last year that he was available and willing to join our MotoGP programme when Franky switched to the Yamaha Factory Team thus creating the need for a replacement rider for the remainder of the 2021 season. Andrea‘s great expertise, experience, and methodical nature were of great interest to Yamaha and the RNF team and the project was fixed to include the full 2022 season.

“Unfortunately, Andrea has struggled to extract the maximum potential out of the M1 and thus the results have not been forthcoming, which has created understandable frustration for Andrea. Finally during the summer break, he confirmed to us his desire to retire before the end of the season.

“After mutual discussions it was deemed appropriate for Andrea to ride his final race in Misano at his home GP. Naturally, Yamaha will continue to give ’Dovi‘ their full support over the next three races. In the meantime, let‘s enjoy his last three GPs and celebrate in Misano the end of a spectacular career.