Jorge Lorenzo: ‘My priority is to stay with Yamaha’

Jorge Lorenzo has again insisted his number one priority is to renew his contract with Yamaha, as speculation about the Spaniard’s future continues to be a major talking point in the MotoGP paddock.

After finishing quickest in practice for his home race at Catalunya today, Lorenzo was bombarded with questions about his 2013 plans, with the former world champion linked with a switch to take Casey Stoner’s seat at Repsol Honda.

Stoner will retire at the end of the season and that shock decision confirmed in Le Mans last month instantly made Lorenzo’s signature the most sought after in MotoGP.

Yamaha is desperate to retain Lorenzo and offered him a new two-year deal as early as the second race in Jerez.

But HRC have also made contact with Lorenzo now controlling the rider market for next season.

Speaking about his future in Catalunya he told MCN: “My priority to stay here (Yamaha). This is the only thing I can say. We are negotiating. There are a lot of points we must check to have the best options and to have the best bike.

“All I want is to have the best option possible. Right now we are negotiating but my first priority is to stay at Yamaha. They have given me a lot of support and I feel comfortable here. I’d like to stay here and my feeling has not changed.”

Lorenzo made the best possible start to his home race near Barcelona today when he topped the practice timesheets with a best time of 1.42.099. That put him 0.207s clear of compatriot Alvaro Bautista, with British rider Cal Crutchlow in third.

Lorenzo will start Sunday’s 25-lap race with an eight-point lead over closest rival Stoner.