On Friday at the Italian Grand Prix, Aprilia announced it had reached a deal with RNF for it to become the Italian manufacturers’ satellite squad from 2023 on an initial two-year deal.
RNF currently fields Dovizioso and Darryn Binder on Yamaha machinery, but neither is contracted beyond the end of 2022.
Dovizioso has endured a torrid full-time MotoGP return on the Yamaha after sitting out the 2021 season, scoring just eight points from the first seven races on a bike that has won in the hands of factory rider Fabio Quartararo and currently leads the standings.
The former Ducati factory rider, a three-time runner-up between 2017 and 2019, tested for Aprilia last year and was previously offered a race ride with the marque for the 2021 campaign.
But Dovizioso says at the moment the RNF tie-up will have no influence on his future plans.
“Doesn’t change anything because I don’t have any plans for the future,” the 36-year-old remarked after ending Friday practice at Mugello in 21st.
“I’m already struggling a lot to be in this situation, so I don’t think it’s too smart to think about the future at this moment.”
Asked if he thought the Aprilia could be better than the Yamaha for him, he added: “Maybe yes, but in any case I don’t know if I’m interested to think about the future.
Andrea Dovizioso, RNF MotoGP Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“This is the point. It’s not about which brand, which team or if I speak with a team for the future.
“I’m the first person to not speak about the future, because at this moment it’s not about maybe it would be good for me.”
When pressed to say if this means he would be retiring at the end of 2022, Dovizioso concluded: “In this moment I can say yes, easily, but we will see.”
The RNF/Aprilia tie-up came as welcome news to the marque’s leading rider Aleix Espargaro, who hopes the Malaysian squad will use the opportunity to nurture young talent.
“I’m very happy,…
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