MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo seeking Mercedes F1 test

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo is currently arranging a test with Mercedes AMG F1, as his team shares Monster Energy as sponsor. The energy drink brand offers a vaste range of opportunities and one of them is driving an F1 car.

"We are looking for options, it would be a good way to do something together with Monster," a Yamaha source toldMotorsport.com. “Jorge would love to test a Formula 1 car, but we don't know yet if he will because he is conditioned by certain aspects."

Lorenzo is eager to enter the cockpit of the 2014 single-seater before the end of 2016, as he missed the opportunity to drive it two years ago for both safety and calendar reasons.

However, the sponsor provided him with a drive at the 12 hours of Abu Dhabi, having the chance of running a Ferrari with Monster livery.
​
Hurdles are in Lorenzo's path even this year, with Yamaha stripping his chance because of safety concerns once again. The Spaniard is set to fight for the MotoGP title against team-mate Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. That is why Yamaha might eventually prevent him from putting him at risk with a F1 car.

Moreover, the schedule is tight and there are not many available days for Jorge to be free to test, without any MotoGP or F1 race coming up. Mercedes are also yet to find a place for the test to take place.

Missing this chance for the second time will mean searching for an alternative but he is not so likely to get a Ferrari drive, since he will be a Ducati rider from January.

This would not be the first time for a rider to try and switch to 4 wheels, as Valentino Rossi did it twice with Ferrari F2004 and F2008. Neither is it with drivers trying motorbikes, like Fernando Alonso did in December at Honda Thanks Day at Suzuka, riding Marquez and Pedrosa's HRC.

Will Lorenzo get his seat by the end of the year?

by Beatrice Zamuner