Former MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo has confirmed he has started contract negotiations with Movistar Yamaha and says that if they can provide him with an improved YZR-M1 he is willing to remain with the team.

It is no secret that HRC boss Shuei Nakamoto is after the Spaniard’s signature and it is also heavily rumoured that Ducati’s Gig Dall’Igna is also after Lorenzo. All of the works riders, bar Cal Crutchlow, are out of contract at the end of this season, so the bunfight starts now.

“We have already started to talk with Yamaha, we have had the first meeting. My ideal thing will be to stay with Yamaha and don’t change to another factory. We are here to try to win and the bike is very important, so if the bike can improve and Yamaha can offer to Valentino and I a better bike, then we can carry one for two years more,” said Lorenzo, speaking at Austin.