RIDER Pol Espargaro will return to the grid as a wildcard for Red Bull KTM at the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring, August 16-18, 2024.
According to the official KTM website, Thursday (11/7), this is the second wildcard for Espargaro in the 2024 season following he competed for the manufacturer at the Italian GP at the Mugello Circuit.
The 33-year-old rider said he can’t wait to get back on the KTM RC16 in the team’s home race next month.
“I’m ready to go once more! Mugello is a special circuit that made me come back to Red Bull KTM but there is nothing more special than the Red Bull Ring,” said Espargaro.
“In terms of the track, the venue, the fans and the atmosphere and how much this Grand Prix means to KTM, it also feels like a home race for me,” he added.
Espargaro, who is new to KTM’s 2024 MotoGP testing programme, entered the Italian GP at Mugello in early June. He made up ground and finished 14th in the Sprint, and 17th in the main race.
Also read: Enea Bastianini Claims Racing for KTM Tech 3 Next Season is the Best Choice
The Spaniard was a Red Bull KTM rider between 2017 and 2020 and took KTM’s first podium in the premier class in 2018.
Espargaro announced his retirement as a full-time rider in 2023 and his current wildcard appearances allow for valuable data collection and orientation for his testing duties.
Espargaro was on the podium at the Red Bull Ring in the 2020 Styrian GP with the KTM RC16.
2024 will be his ninth MotoGP at the circuit.
“I have great memories of fighting for the victory there, but like in Italy, the goal is to stay on track with the KTM RC16 and continue our testing program,” Espargaro concluded. (Ant/Z-1)
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