Razlan: "Quartararo's replacement not decide yet"

Team principal of Petronas Yamaha SRT, Dato Razlan Razali told the media that his outfit has yet to decide on the replacement rider for Fabio Quartararo's seat for seasons 2021-22.

Speaking after the unveiling of the team's 2020 livery, Razlan says while speculations are rife that both Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are potential riders that could be hired as a possible replacement for the seat.

But the former has no plan for a return to full time racing for now while the latter will only make his decision on his future after the Mugello race in May.

“There's also plenty of riders from other teams that will be out of contract by end of this year where they are also in our radar to be considered to fill up that seat. In addition, there's several young riders in Moto2 and Moto3 which we are looking into as well.

“The only riders which we won't be considering at all would be either one of the Marquez Brothers due to objection from Yamaha,” said Razlan.

On another note, when asked between 2019's races of Misano and Buriram where Quartararo had finished a close second to 8-time world champion Marc Marquez had gave them more agony and stress, Razlan replied it was the latter as that race was much closer at the chequered flag than the former.

However, he pointed out in terms of the team's disappointment, it was the 2019 Sepang race as both riders have qualified on the front row but went backward during the race instead.

Regarding the bikes' livery in preparation for the Sepang pre-season test, Petronas Yamaha SRT has unveiled its 2020 MotoGP colours with the presence of Quartararo and teammate Franco Morbidelli.

The Sepang-based team impressed in its rookie MotoGP season in 2019 by storming to both the independent riders’ and teams’ titles. Rookie of the year Quartararo claimed seven podiums and six pole positions for Petronas Yamaha as he became the sport’s newest star.