In a period of three weeks, both the Turkish and the Texan extended their agreement with the brand of the three tuning forks, with which they will continue, at least, until the end of 2022 ( Gerloff ) and 2023 ( Razgatlioglu ), respectively.
These maneuvers deactivate, on paper, the possibility that neither of them could land next season in the satellite team of Yamaha in MotoGP, sponsored by Petronas , which probably has the two vacant pilot places.
The unexpected departure of Maverick Viñales from Yamaha at the end of this exercise will cause a series of movements that will surely make Franco Morbidelli promote the official team, as a neighbor of Franco Quartararo’s workshop.
The change of scenery of the Roman corridor, together with the almost certain departure of Valentino Rossi, either after announcing his retirement if he decides to join the VR46 structure, would release the two M1 that correspond to SRT.
In this sense, two of the most popular names to get on those prototypes were Razgatlioglu and Gerloff , who already replaced Morbidelli in the last race of the World Championship, in Assen –he finished 17th–, as a consequence of the operation in the knee to which #21 was subjected.
Precisely in Assen, where the WorldSBK paddock is installed this weekend, Rea was asked about the paths that his two rivals chose to take, and he had no qualms about admitting that the decision of both surprised him.
“I am very surprised that Toprak and Gerloff have not gone to MotoGP,” agreed the Irishman, the fastest on Friday’s day at the Cathedral.
The one from Kawasaki, who currently occupies second place in the championship, two points behind Razgatlioglu, is one of the names that is usually related to a possible transition to MotoGP.
In that sense, the current champion lets himself be loved, but does not go further. “I think I’m riding better than ever and I’m in the best moment of my career. I have everything in its place, both professionally and personally. Never say never”, Rea released, when asked directly about a hypothetical call from SRT.
