Monster Energy Yamaha shocked the MotoGP™ world when they announced five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo as their brand-new test rider just months after he announced his retirement. As soon as the news was released, only one question was on everybody's lips: will Lorenzo make a wildcard appearance? That question was given an answer at the start of March when Yamaha and Lorenzo both announced he would be competing as a wildcard at the 2020 Catalan Grand Prix.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, wildcards will not be permitted to race in 2020 but, during MotoGP™'s Instagram Live with the Spaniard following his Virtual British Grand Prix victory on Sunday, Lorenzo admitted he's actually "a little bit relieved" he won't be making his official Yamaha return in the current circumstances. It's clear Lorenzo is desperate to make his racing return with the factory that helped him win his three premier class titles, but only once he feels he can be competitive.
"They decided that wildcards would not participate," said the 33-year-old. "From one side, I’m sad because I really wanted to do this race but, from the other side, I’m a little bit relieved because without any tests before that race I don’t think I would’ve been able to be very competitive. So, I don’t think it would’ve been a good idea to go directly to the race track on a race weekend and try to do a wildcard and be competitive. I don’t think this could be possible. So, I’m sad because I wanted to do it in a good and proper way with testing and feeling well with the bike before competing. But from the other side, maybe it’s better we do it like this.
"For the moment, I need to understand when the next test will be. Yamaha is studying where and when the next test will be. I saw the other day that KTM were testing in Spielberg so hopefully, as soon as possible we can have a test, maybe in Motegi or another track. I’m really hoping to test because I had a lot of fun with my bike in Sepang, it was a really nice few days with my team and I can’t wait to do it again."