James Toseland is hopeful of hearing this weekend whether his two-year stay in the FIM MotoGP World Championship will be extended.
The 28-year-old is approaching the end of his current contract with the Tech 3 Yamaha team but believes that championship contender Jorge Lorenzo’s future with Fiat Yamaha could hold the key to his future.
“I’m hoping to hear some news on my contract at Brno this weekend,” Toseland said. “We are basically all waiting for Lorenzo to decide whether he is going to stay with Yamaha for next year as that will decide what seats are up for grabs.” The Press Association
“But I believe that he is staying now so if that’s the case then our team can get organised. It’s not nice to not know what you’ll be doing next year and I really want to stay with Tech 3 Yamaha in MotoGP.”
“I’ve made no secret of that and I’m hoping that the crashes and injuries at the start of the season haven’t hampered my chances of staying in the team.” Daily Mail
Going into this weekend’s Czech MotoGP at Brno, Lorenzo lies second in the championship standings, 25 points behind Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi.
Speaking before the British Grand Prix at Donington, Lorenzo said staying with Yamaha was his “first option”, but he wanted to feel he was more appreciated, and had received offers from all the major manufacturers.
“It’s not a question of money, it’s a question of do Yamaha want me or does another brand want me more,” said the 22-year-old former world 250cc champion.
“I think Yamaha want me to stay but I don’t know how much they want me.” BBC Sport
Toseland had a fine debut season in 2008 but has struggled for the majority of this campaign after a series of high speed crashes in testing over the winter left him playing catch up.
But the Sheffield-born rider has chalked up two sixth-placed finishes in the last two races - including at his home race at Donington Park last month - and remains confident of securing an extension.
He said: “I`m after another top six finish this weekend. It`s never easy on a fast track like Brno because the factory bikes have a bit more speed but still, my bike is capable of achieving that so it is up for me to put it there.” ESPN STAR Sports
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