Toprak Razgatlioglu to consider MotoGP move with factory team only?

With current WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu set to make his MotoGP test debut with Yamaha this year, rumours of a permanent switch in 2023 are as hot as ever. 

In fact, Razgatlioglu has himself admitted that he could move to MotoGP as early as 2023, despite being contracted to his current Pata Yamaha team until the end of said season. 

Razgatlioglu was initially wanted in MotoGP as soon as this season by the new WITHU RNF Yamaha team, however, Darryn Binder was promoted from Moto3 to the premier class due to Razgatlioglu wanting to win the WorldSBK title first. 

Any move to MotoGP was never a possibility until the Turkish rider achieved his childhood dream; which was to become Superbike champion, but with that feat now complete, it has paved the way for such a move. 

And while a move to MotoGP is being highly considered by both parties should Razgatlioglu put together another strong season, there are ‘conditions’ that will play a role according to Razgatlioglu’s manager Kenan Sofuoglu. 

In an exclusive interview with Speedweek.com, Sofuoglu said any move to MotoGP with Yamaha will need to come in the ‘works team’ - thus meaning the Monster Energy Yamaha team.

But with Petronas giving Valentino Rossi the exact same equipment as Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales/Franco Morbidelli last season, which will also be the case for RNF Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso this year, Razgatlioglu would surely get a full factory bike even if he moves to RNF and not the Monster Energy garage.

But that scenario will not take place according to Sofuoglu. What is also clear is that Razgatlioglu will not join MotoGP in a similar way to Binder which is on an older M1 machine, it has to be a full factory M1.

This is what Sofuoglu said to Speedweek.com: "Even if Yamaha offers us a place in the works team, I'm not sure. I will be very careful with Toprak's career. I don't want to make a mistake and thereby destroy his good feeling. 

"He's really enjoying racing at the moment, I don't want to ruin that. Razlan Razali has already asked us several times about the next season, but we are not interested. 

"I made it clear to him that we would only consider the works team. We won't be racing for a B team either, but only for the works team."

What could make Razgatlioglu joining MotoGP in 2023 less likely is the fact Morbidelli is already confirmed until the end of that season, while the team is in talks to re-sign 2021 world champion Quartararo - a rider they obviously intend not to lose.