Pol Espargaro will make a return to the MotoGP paddock for a second time in 2024 with factory KTM at this year’s Austrian Grand Prix on August 16-18.
The 33-year-old will perform in his second wildcard entry of the season in his new test rider role, after leaving full-time racing at the end of 2023.
KTM rewarded Espargaro’s loyalties with a test rider role for 2024 alongside three-time champion Dani Pedrosa, and he had his first wildcard outing in Mugello.
He made an instant and competitive impact, finishing 14th in the Sprint and 17th in the Grand Prix.
Espargaro was also the first rider to gain KTM’s first-ever podium finish in the premier class back in 2018, before achieving that feat again in Austria in the 2020 season.
He will be racing with the Austrian marque at its home race to gather further valuable data for the team.
Espargaro stated: “I’m ready to go again! Mugello was a special circuit to make my return for Red Bull KTM but it also doesn’t get much more special than Red Bull Ring.
“For the track, the place, the fans and the atmosphere and for how much this Grand Prix means to KTM it also feels a bit like a home race for me.
“I have some good memories of fighting for the win there but, like in Italy, the goal will be to get on the track with the KTM RC16 and continue our testing program.
“We will have work to do but I know the Austrian GP will also be a lot of fun.”
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