Jorge Lorenzo celebrated his decision to see out his contract with Yamaha until 2016 by going fastest in both Friday’s practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.
The Spaniard admitted he had been disappointed by his start to the season as he trails teammate Valentino Rossi by 29 points after the first three races of the campaign.
However, the two-time world champion showed he could yet challenge for the title as he outperformed Rossi and reigning world champion Marc Marquez with a best lap time of 1min 39.174sec.
“It is a great sign for the weekend, but there is a long way to go. We have to do the same tomorrow and, above all, on Sunday,” said Lorenzo.
Lorenzo had signed a deal until 2016 with the Japanese manufacturer last August, but there was a clause in the contract that allowed both sides to pull out at the end of the current season.
However, both Yamaha Factory Racing managing director Lin Jarvis and Lorenzo confirmed he would be staying put.
“Yesterday was a great day off the track and today is a great one on it,” Lorenzo added.
“The truth is when things are going badly to have a team that supports you and has faith in you is very important.
“I thank Yamaha for that faith and want to demonstrate as soon as possible the confidence they have in me with pole positions, victories and fighting for the title.”
Jarvis insisted Yahama were just as keen to keep Lorenzo on board.
“We have spoken together already and its already clear, he wants to stay with us, we want to stay with him, it’s done, so Jorge will be with us this year and next. It’s a fact,” he said.
Marquez showed little ill-effects from suffering a broken finger in training last week as he improved from eighth-fastest to second in the afternoon practice session.
Rossi, who has won two of the three races so far this season, slipped down from sixth-fastest to 13th in the second practice session of the day.
Italian Andrea Dovizioso, who is six points behind Rossi in the world championship standings, was fourth in both sessions.
Meanwhile, Dovizioso’s Ducati teammate Andrea Iannone, currently third in the championship standings, climbed from 12th-fastest to third in the second session.