Yamaha: Jorge had 'ulterior motive' for test deal…

The ban on wild-cards this season means retired MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo will not be able to make a planned Yamaha race return at Catalunya, plus possible further outings at Misano and Motegi.

According to Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis, it also prevents Lorenzo getting a clear answer on whether he has the desire and speed to make a full-time comeback in the premier-class.

"Jorge wanted to do tests and a race this year. But I think he had an ulterior motive. He also wanted to find out if he was still interested enough to return to racing," Jarvis told Speedweek.com.

"I think he had a very strong interest in finding out if he would still be fast enough, comfortable and competitive and if he could regain his old confidence with the Yamaha."

If Lorenzo is indeed pondering a MotoGP return for 2021-2022, he currently has little information on which to reach a conclusion, managing just a few days on a 2019 Yamaha at Sepang in January.

Jarvis said it's still not clear when Lorenzo's next test will be, or if their testing agreement will continue in 2021, but confirmed there would be no room as a race rider at Yamaha next season.

The factory Yamaha team has already signed Fabio Quartararo alongside Maverick Vinales, while Valentino Rossi all-but-certain to join Franco Morbidelli at Petronas.

However, as the Englishman pointed out, a seat currently remains free at Ducati, where Lorenzo won three races before his ill-fated switch to Repsol Honda.

"With us, all four MotoGP places are full, when Valentino decides to continue and signs for the Sepang Circuit Yamaha team and since I hope Franco Morbidelli will continue with the SIC team, then Yamaha would probably have no place for Jorge," Jarvis said.

"Jorge would have to speak to a competitor if he wanted to race a full season again. There are manufacturers like Ducati who have not yet completed their rider line-up. So far they have only signed one rider. "

Jack Miller is the only factory Ducati team rider currently confirmed for 2021. Of the team's current line-up, Danilo Petrucci now looks set to join KTM, while negotiations with reigning title runner-up Andrea Dovizioso are ongoing.

Dovizioso's manager expects a decision before the new MotoGP season-opener in mid-July, but there has been continued speculation that if talks break down, Ducati might turn to Lorenzo…

There is also currently one seat free at the 'factory-spec' Pramac team for next season. Moto2 star Jorge Martin has agreed a 'to be announced' deal for 2021, but his team-mate is undecided.