Andrea Dovizioso confirms MotoGP exit at end of 2022 season
Andrea Dovizioso confirms this will likely be his 15th and final season in MotoGP but stopped short of saying he will retire from motorcycle racing
Andrea Dovizioso has confirmed he is not seeking a seat on the 2023 MotoGP World Championship as he looks to alternative options to continue racing or retire altogether.
The Italian is currently in the midst of his 15th MotoGP season, this year spent with the RNF Racing Yamaha team in a full campaign after joining the Malaysian outfit - formerly known as Petronas SRT - towards the latter end of 2021.
However, Dovizioso is enduring a season to forget with a best finish of just 11th place and only four points’ finishes to his name from the opening 11 events.
A 14-time race winner and triple MotoGP runner-up - each time to Marc Marquez - in 2017, 2018 and 2019 - since Doviziosois under contract with Yamaha, RNF Racing’s forthcoming switch to Aprilia machinery looked likely to freeze him out of its line-up.
Now Dovizioso has confirmed he has no plans to extend his tenure in the premier class beyond this year, though stopped short of confirming his retirement.
This is the second time Dovizioso has dropped off the MotoGP grid after walking away from Ducati at the end of the 2020 season in a row over salary. Terming it as a hiatus rather than retirement, Dovizioso turned down an offer from Aprilia for 2021 before joining Yamaha.
“For sure, I will not race,” Dovizioso told MotoGP.com. “I always said if I would not be competitive, I don't want to be here. So there is no reason. Especially after 20 years. I never tried to have a place for next year.
“I'm completely relaxed about it. I already did half a year out of racing last year. I already tested [retirement], so I'm OK about that.”
As for where Dovizioso could race in 2023 if he does continue, there could be an opportunity with Ducati in WorldSBK as it mulls over extending its deal with Michael Ruben Rinaldi or consider an alternative, such as the Italian’s former team-mate in MotoGP, Danilo Petrucci.
With this in mind, Dovizioso could follow him over to the MotoAmerica series, potentially replacing Petrucci should his compatriot head to the world championship.
Alternatively, Dovizioso has previously spoken about moving into Motocross and again could use Petrucci as inspiration for a Dakar Rally entry.
He has also dabbled in four-wheel racing with a eye-catching wildcard outing in a DTM race in 2019.
