WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu hints at 2023 MotoGP move

2021 WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has revealed a switch to MotoGP could be possible as early as 2023. 

It's no secret that Yamaha wants Razgatlioglu in MotoGP after the newly-named RNF team - formerly known as Petronas Yamaha - made an offer to acquire the Turkish star for 2022.

That came midway through the 2021 season, a season in which winning the WorldSBK title was Razgatlioglu’s only aim. 

In fact, Razgatlioglu has been adamant about remaining in the Superbike paddock for years, making a move to MotoGP less and less likely. 

However, that could be set to change as Razgatlioglu has confirmed he will test an M1 Yamaha alongside Cal Crutchlow next year. 

GPone reported the news saying: "I will try the M1 in a couple of private tests in 2022. In these days I will be with Cal Crutchlow and I hope to make my debut in MotoGP in 2023 even if now all my concentration is on WorldSBK for next season."

Razgatlioglu is also rumoured to have already agreed to be RNF Yamaha’s reserve rider for 2022, a role Crutchlow will occupy for the factory Monster Energy Yamaha Team. 

Should Razgatlioglu join MotoGP in 2023, then his route is all-but confirmed to be with the RNF squad as Franco Morbidelli is pencilled in through to the end of said 2023 season, while retaining 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo is the Japanese manufacturer’s main aim. 

Furthermore, Andrea Dovizioso is contracted only until the end of 2022 as is new team-mate Darryn Binder. 

The South African, who surprisingly got the seat alongside Dovizioso, could be the rider most at risk due to his lack of results in Moto3, albeit it didn’t deter the team from promoting him straight to the premier class anyway. 

What is guaranteed, is that Razgatlioglu will defend his WorldSBK title in 2022 after he became the first ever Turkish premier class champion.