Jorge Lorenzo hints at long Yamaha career

Yamaha’s desire to ensure Jorge Lorenzo remains on board a factory YZR-M1 beyond 2012 has been given a massive boost after the Spaniard indicated he’d be happy to end his career with the Japanese factory.

Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis told MCN at the end of 2011 that agreeing a new deal for Lorenzo this year was imperative for the future success of the factory.

Fundamental to convincing Lorenzo to stay though was delivering him competitive machinery for the inaugural 1000cc world championship.

The 2010 world champion has been delighted with the performance of the new 1000cc machine in winter testing so far, having impressed in two outings at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

And Lorenzo told MCN: “I would like to stay with Yamaha for all my career. I feel great with the whole team and we are like a family and I don’t know if in another factory I would feel like that.

“Last year was difficult but three years before we won everything and in that period we had the best bike. But last year we didn’t, so let’s see if this year we have it again.

“If we do I don’t see any big motive to change. The number one priority for me is to have a competitive bike. If I do the other things are secondary. I like to win so having a winning bike is very important.”

Lorenzo has previously turned down advances from Ducati but he is rumoured to the subject of fresh interest from HRC for 2013, with all of the top riders including Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Ben Spies and Valentino Rossi preparing to negotiate new contracts this year.

Talks between Lorenzo’s representatives and Yamaha management are on-going and the 2010 world champion’s factory team boss Wilco Zeelenberg said he was confident of a successful conclusion to discussions.

The Dutchman said: “I can guess they are talking a lot about that. I think he is very comfortable at Yamaha but a lot depends on the results this year.

“It is too early to say but we hope he will sign as soon as possible. But he will also need a spot somewhere else because he won’t go and jump on a CRT bike.

“He is happy at Yamaha. He was champion in 2010 and he was one of the main guys in 2011 and the only one who could fight with Casey. I certainly hope he will stay with Yamaha.”

Yamaha might be hugely encouraged by Lorenzo’s desire to remain with them for the rest of his career, but management will no doubt be extremely cautious too.

Valentino Rossi frequently expressed the intention to complete his illustrious career with Yamaha, with management hoping to use the Italian in an ambassadorial once he retired. But the 33-year-old quit at the end of 2010 to join Ducati on a two-year deal.