Locatelli: I want to continue with Yamaha; it’s the best situation for me

Impressive WorldSBK rookie Andrea Locatelli is aiming to remain with Pata Yamaha for 2022; ‘For sure on my end and also in my situation I want to continue with Yamaha because we make a really good potential.”

Robert Jones

24 Aug 2021

Andrea Locatelli, Navarra WorldSBK, 21 August 2021
© Gold and Goose

Andrea Locatelli and Pata Yamaha look set to continue their partnership into the 2022 WorldSBK season.

The Italian rookie has had a stellar campaign thus far, which continued at Navarra as he secured three fourth place finishes.

Since Assen, Locatelli has been best of the rest behind championship contenders Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jonathan Rea and Scott Redding - sometimes getting amongst the top three - Assen race two and Navarra race two are some examples.

Crucially for Yamaha and team-mate Razgatlioglu, Locatelli’s impressive development and recent results could be vital for the championship, as he looks like the only rider who could take points away from their team-mates rivals.

Yamaha have been adamant of wanting to keep the former Moto2 rider heading into next season, which is expected to be confirmed soon.

When asked about staying with the Japanese manufacturer, Locatelli said: "For sure on my end and also in my situation I want to continue with Yamaha because we make a really good potential.

"We also have a great team and group to learn from and to try and get really good results, so I think it’s the best solution for me.

"For sure we will consider everything, but I think we will continue with Yamaha. Now I just want to enjoy on the bike and to push to the maximum on the bike."

While Locatelli wasn’t able to match his podium result of Assen and Most during round seven, it was however the 24 year-old’s most consistent weekend as a whole.

"It’s an amazing weekend here in Navarra. In race two I tried to push for the maximum but on the first lap I made some mistakes," added Locatelli.

"I went wide, then I touched a rider and I lost some positions. I tried to overtake the rider in front of me, but in the end, the first group went more in front of me.

"I tried to close the gap but I couldn’t do it. It’s another excellent weekend because we didn’t make a mistake.

"We had a really good position and for sure we need to be happy because we are in front now."