Lorenzo: Test rider role one possibility on the table

Jorge Lorenzo says becoming a MotoGP test rider is “one of the possibilities I have on the table” as he weighs up his options since retiring from racing.

The five-time world champion called time on his career at the end of 2019, ending his two-year deal at Repsol Honda 12 months early, as he looks for a fresh start this year after 18 consecutive years of competing.

Lorenzo has been strongly linked to taking up a test rider role with Yamaha, having claimed three MotoGP world titles with the Iwata factory during his career, while the option remains open following Yamaha’s split from Jonas Folger as its European-based test rider.

In a wide-ranging interview with Motosan.es, Lorenzo is eager to enjoy his retirement but confirmed he is assessing an offer to become a test rider.

“It’s one of the possibilities I have on the table,” Lorenzo told Motosan.es. “Enjoying more free time for me was one of the reasons why I decided to retire.

“So right now I want to have a lot of time, to be able to do the things that I could not do the last 18 years. If you offer me a project that does not take up much time and I hope at least I will study it.”

Speaking at the final round of the 2019 MotoGP season in Valencia, one day on from Lorenzo’s bombshell retirement announcement, Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis says he hasn’t ruled out having a “non-Japanese test rider” despite a change to its test group plans and ending its work with Folger.

“Looking at our experiences we decided for our own reasons that we would not run with Jonas Folger for next year because we didn’t have the consensus amongst everyone in the group that it was the right situation for us,” Jarvis said in Valencia.

“It is not said that we will not have a non-Japanese test rider. It is said that it just won’t be Folger.

“I would say just wait, we will look around and we will see. We need a fast rider. We need somebody that can give us the accurate feedback that can bridge that gap between the Japanese testing group and the next level.”

Lorenzo could follow in the footsteps of Dani Pedrosa who retired from racing in 2018 at Repsol Honda before becoming test rider at KTM.

While no official testing role has been announced, Lorenzo says he’s enjoyed returning to full fitness having struggled with numerous injuries over the past 18 months as he has also been able to put on more weight compared to his racing days.

“I am very well, thank you,” he said. “The truth is that the last year-and-a-half, in terms of injuries, was undoubtedly the worst of my career and that greatly affected my track performance.

“Fortunately, I am already 100%. In fact in the gym I am lifting more weight than ever, now that I can afford to gain muscle mass.”

Since Lorenzo’s decision to retire, Repsol Honda has named Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez to join his brother Marc Marquez as its rider line-up for 2020.