Ducati won't stop Lorenzo testing for Honda in November
Ducati will not prevent Jorge Lorenzo from testing for Honda in the official sessions that follow the MotoGP season finale in November, Motorsport.com has learned.
Lorenzo's Ducati contract does not expire until December 31 this year, but he will be permitted to ride for his new employer in the Valencia test on November 20-21 and the following week's Jerez test.
MotoGP manufacturers usually give dispensation for riders leaving for rival brands to join their new teams for the official post-season tests, with their bikes running in plain liveries and the riders not speaking to the media.
When Lorenzo left Yamaha for Ducati at the end of 2016, he was allowed to try the Desmosedici in the Valencia sessions but not participate in subsequent private tests during the rest of the calendar year.
This season the Jerez test is also an official IRTA event rather than a private session, so Ducati will allow Lorenzo to run for Honda in both.
Lorenzo is replacing Dani Pedrosa as Marc Marquez's teammate next year, in a reshuffle that has prompted Pedrosa's retirement.
Ducati will promote Danilo Petrucci from its satellite team Pramac to take Lorenzo's place.
Andrea Iannone is also expected to be allowed to ride for Aprilia at both tests after his split with current team Suzuki, while Johann Zarco will be free to ride for KTM as his existing contract is with Tech 3 itself, not Yamaha.
Share Or Save This Story
Marc Marquez sent body double to Motegi kart race: “We are not here to mess around or drive go karts"
Fermin Aldeguer undergoes surgery to try to speed up recovery ahead of Japanese GP
Did MotoGP make its Brazil return too soon?
Jorge Lorenzo: Marc Marquez less explosive now, but smarter than ever
Maverick Vinales and Jorge Lorenzo's partnership cools down after early enthusiasm
How Jorge Lorenzo is pushing Maverick Vinales beyond his limits in MotoGP
The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight
Jorge Martin: “Even on one of my good days, it was impossible to beat Marc Marquez”
Marc Marquez vows to go on "attack" after declaring Pedro Acosta fastest at Japanese GP
2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Guide to schedule, driver meet-ups, and race week parties
Jeb Burton joins RSS Racing, will drive father Ward Burton's No. 22
Stewart Friesen to run Kyle Busch throwback scheme in Charlotte NASCAR Truck race
Red Bull is overcoming ADUO restrictions but still calls on tweaks for F1 2027
The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight
Five things we learned from MotoGP Japanese GP after tyre drama
How to make two MotoGP grids with a single qualifying session
What we learned from an emotional MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments