With Cal Crutchlow’s ongoing injury concerns, Yamaha turned to Andrea Dovizioso ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix, placing the former MotoGP rider back on the Yamaha M1. Dovizioso was also present at Misano’s official test, raising speculation about his potential return to the grid in 2025.

Reflecting on his return to the bike, Dovizioso said, "It felt great to be back on a MotoGP bike. After two years, feeling that stiffness and power again was amazing. The lap times weren’t bad, but things have changed—a lot of development and faster bikes."

Yamaha has undergone significant changes in the last year, most notably bringing on Max Bartolini as Technical Director, a long-time collaborator of Dovizioso during his Ducati days. Dovizioso noted their strong relationship and Yamaha’s need to recover as quickly as possible, acknowledging the stiff competition.

Rumors suggest Dovizioso might join Yamaha’s test efforts alongside Augusto Fernandez, but Dovizioso remained noncommittal, saying, "Now is not the time to talk about that."

Yamaha’s Maio Meregalli confirmed that Dovizioso is likely to test again in Jerez in November if Crutchlow remains unfit, praising his analytical approach and contribution to the project.