Yamaha confirm 2022 Toprak Razgatlioglu MotoGP test

Monster Energy Yamaha Team Director, Massimo Meregalli, has confirmed that Toprak Razgatlioglu will test their M1 MotoGP bike in 2022.

Razgatlioglu, who has a multi-year contract in WorldSBK (ends after the 2023 season), has been expected to test MotoGP machinery ever since heavy speculation linking him with a potential switch for next season. 

The current WorldSBK champion will take part in a private test alongside the team’s official test rider Cal Crutchlow in either June or August. 

The initial plan for Yamaha was to have Razgatlioglu test at Jerez last November, however, with the all-new Mandalika International Circuit being built in time for the WorldSBK series finale, it resulted in a calendar clash for both parties. 

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Meregalli said: “Last year, at the end of the season, basically at the end of the Jerez test we planned a test for him but then Indonesia organised the last race. 

“But this year based on Cal’s [Crutchlow] calendar we have to find a day that will suit his calendar. It will be for sure interesting because he really deserves to have this opportunity because what he did last year, for me it was amazing. 

“Not only me, but I’m curious to see him on an M1. We already have a schedule ready and there are two possibilities; one is maybe in August and the other one maybe in June, but I’m not sure because we already exchanged this possibility. As soon as we are ready we will decide together.

Both Razgatlioglu and the factory Yamaha MotoGP team will be in action this week with the former taking part in a two-day WorldSBK test at Portimao, while world champion Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli have their final pre-season test at Mandalika (Friday-Sunday).