It’s not yet official, but as good as… Toprak Razgatlioglu will be on the 2022 MotoGP grid, wearing Yamaha colours. Currently competing in SBK for team Pata with BRIXX, the Turk will go all out to secure the 2021 title before moving across to the reigning class.

Although the Iwata manufacturer and Kenan Sofuoglu’s pupil make for a winning pair, able to threaten Johnny Rea’s domination aboard the Kawasaki, plans appear to be changing because when the top class comes calling, it’s always best to respond with "Yes, I'm in".

And this is what has happened. Two places are now up for grabs with SRT Petronas, as Valentino Rossi will retire (or compete for one more year with his own team) and Franco Morbidelli will change teams. The nine-time champion will focus on the VR46 Ducati project, while the Italo-Brazilian could well flank Fabio Quartararo on the factory Monster Energy team. We say ‘could’, as this is still hypothetical right now.

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In splitting with Yamaha, Maverick has once again shaken things up. Will the Spaniard move to Aprilia? An excellent choice for both parties. Quartararo, the current leader, will remain where he is and will be looking for a team-mate. With Andrea Dovizioso looking to be a rather risky bet, another Italian seems likely.

Morbido, then, on a factory M1 at last. But why not Razga? Because the Monster sponsor and his personal Red Bull sponsor would cause a clash. So until the team and/or rider change energy drink, that’s not going to be possible, but Toprak will be guaranteed a level of technical support that is similar if not identical to the factory riders.

Also pushed by Rossi, Petronas is more than open to Toprak’s passport, and the deal appears as good as done. And that’s not all. Because the second M1 is high on many riders’ wish lists. Garrett Gerloff for example, who already rode it at Assen. The American alongside the Turk? It’s hard to imagine, but not impossible to pull off.

Translated by Heather Watson

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