Lorenzo: Mixed feelings on missing wild-cards

Jorge Lorenzo has mixed feelings after being denied a chance to return to the MotoGP grid as a wild-card in 2020.

After retiring from full-time competition last November, following a punishing season at Honda, the triple premier-class champion stepped into the role of Yamaha test rider.

After debut tests on a 2019 bike at Sepang, it was confirmed that Lorenzo would make his racing return on an M1 as a wild-card in his home Catalunya round.

But that event has been postponed by the coronavirus, with the Grand Prix Commission then deciding to scrap all wild-card entries this year to cut-costs and limit paddock numbers for closed-door events.

"Of course, it's a very unexpected situation for everyone and this coronavirus will probably take almost all of the year," Lorenzo said. "But it's happening and they decided that the wild-cards will not participate.

"From one side, I am disappointed because I really wanted to do this race, but on the other, with not so many tests before that race, I don’t think I would be able to be very competitive.

"So I don't think it would be a good idea to go directly into the race weekend and try to do a wild-card. I don’t think it would be possible to be competitive, so for that reason, I'm sad – because I wanted to do it in a good proper way, making testing and feeling good with the bike and then competing – but for the other side maybe it's better like this."

While a race won't be possible this season, Lorenzo should still be on track for some Yamaha tests.

"For the moment I need to understand when the next test is going to be," he said. "Yamaha I think is trying to study a little bit when and at which track.

"The other day I saw KTM testing in Spielberg, so hopefully as soon as possible we can make a test, maybe in Motegi or some track.

"I'm really expecting to test because I have a lot of fun with my bike in Sepang, it was a very nice 3-4 days with the team and I'm looking forward to do it again."