Andrea Dovizioso returns to the sport as the official Yamaha MotoGP test rider under a new three-year contract running through 2027.
The announcement made ahead of the Italian MotoGP marks a strategic step for the Japanese manufacturer as it seeks to revitalize its MotoGP project and regain competitive ground in the premier class.
Dovizioso, a rider celebrated for his technical acumen and racecraft, will not only take up the role of test rider but also serve as Yamaha’s newly appointed Rider Performance Advisor, a dual capacity that underscores the manufacturer’s confidence in his expertise and leadership.
Andrea Dovizioso return to Yamaha is both a homecoming and a fresh chapter in a storied career that has seen the Italian become one of MotoGP’s most respected figures.
After retiring from full-time competition in 2022, Dovizioso remained closely linked to the sport, participating in ad hoc testing for Yamaha, including the crucial Sepang shakedown test during the pre-season.
The 39-year old’s involvement in these sessions hinted at a deeper collaboration, which has now been formalized with this long-term agreement.
Yamaha’s faith in Dovizioso’s technical abilities is well-founded; throughout his career, he has been lauded for his clarity in communicating with engineers and his ability to translate on-track sensations into actionable development directions.
His MotoGP journey has spanned multiple manufacturers including a pivotal role at Ducati where he earned the nickname “Professor Dovi” for his analytical approach and ability to provide incisive feedback to engineers and team personnel.
“I’m really happy to officially announce this new connection with Yamaha Motor Racing,” Dovizioso said. “I know it represents an important step in a relationship built on mutual trust and respect.
“I feel completely comfortable in the role we’ve defined together with Yamaha, aimed at maximising my contribution to this important project.“
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In his capacity as Yamaha MotoGP test rider, Dovizioso will participate in private testing sessions outside the regular Grand Prix calendar.
These sessions are critical for the development of their MotoGP prototype, enabling the team to experiment with new components, settings, and technologies in a controlled environment.
Dovizioso’s feedback will directly influence the evolution of the YZR-M1, Yamaha’s flagship MotoGP machine as the team seeks to address recent performance challenges and close the gap to its rivals.
In the newly created role of Rider Performance Advisor, Dovizioso will serve as a key link between the factory’s engineering team and its roster of full-time MotoGP riders.
His responsibilities will include supporting the analysis and communication of performance data, mentoring riders, and fostering a culture of collaboration within the team.
This role is designed to strengthen the communication channels between riders and engineers, ensuring that crucial insights are efficiently shared and acted upon.
Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio stated that Dovizioso’s unique combination of riding skill and technical insight makes him an invaluable asset to the team ahead of 2027 MotoGP regulations change.
“Andrea and Yamaha have shared a strong partnership for many years now, and we are delighted to announce that he is staying with Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP for three more,” Pavesio said.
“Dovi is not only a MotoGP legend with superb riding skills, but he also possesses technical knowledge and can effectively give feedback to the engineers.
“This makes him an ideal test rider, for sure, but we saw the opportunity to make further use of his talents within Yamaha’s MotoGP Project.
“Besides him signing on as Yamaha MotoGP Test Rider, which we believe is instrumental to our MotoGP bike development programme, we’re also excited to see him take on the new role of Rider Performance Advisor.
“This will allow Yamaha to successfully gather crucial data and efficiently share insights between all four Yamaha MotoGP riders and the Yamaha engineers.”
