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Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo is working with Yamaha to try to arrange a chance to test the Mercedes Formula 1 car before the end of 2016.
The Spaniard is currently exploring the possibilities offered by Monster Energy which, apart form sponsoring Yamaha, is one of the most visible brands at the Mercedes team.
"We are looking for options, it would be a good way to do something together with Monster," a Yamaha source told Motorsport.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."
The obstacles are mainly reasons related to safety and the calendar. Lorenzo is very likely to fight for the MotoGP title until the end of the year, something that would put the test at risk because Yamaha would probably not allow him to drive the under those circumstances.
Besides that, there are not many days available when it comes to mixing F1 and MotoGP. If there was a way to agree to it, with Mercedes as well as Monster and Yamaha, they would have to find a place for the test to take place, something that is not clear either.
If Lorenzo's wish is not granted, the most likely scenario would be for him to search for an alternative, as happened before. In 2014, for example, Lorenzo raced in the Abu Dhabi 12 Hours at the wheel of a Ferrari in Monster colours.
In any case, Lorenzo is determined to try everything to get to drive Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's car, and he knows it will be easier before the end of the year.
From January he will be a Ducati rider, and the odds of Phillip Morris (the parent company of Marlboro) offering him a Ferrari drive are probably lower.
The situation is reminiscent of the hype created by Valentino Rossi a few years ago, when he tested a Ferrari F1 car in 2004 and 2008.
The Italian even insinuated that he was seriously considering leaving MotoGP to switch to four wheels. But in the end, and as expected, it all led to nothing.
Jorge Lorenzo trying to arrange Mercedes F1 test chance - Autoblog
