As reported by Autosport in August, Iannone will return to the Ducati fold to experience a Panigale V4 R in 2024, having beforehand spent 4 years with the Italian marque in MotoGP between 2013 and 2016.
Iannone has been absent from racing since 2020 after he was handed a four-year ban for testing Positive for taking unlawful steroids.
With the ban set to be uplifted in 2024, the Italian has spent a lot of the yr focusing on a comeback, and has been seen at a number of WSBK races to be able to seal a contract with Ducati.
The deal was formally introduced on Wednesday, simply over per week earlier than the 2023 season finale at Jerez on 28-29 October.
“I have been ready for this second for a very long time, I am lastly again on monitor, the place I spent my life. I thank Gigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti, Claudio Domenicali, Marco Zambenedetti and the entire GoEleven workforce for his or her belief; with their help I’ve rediscovered the keenness I had as a baby. Particular thanks additionally to the WorldSBK household for the chance. I am absolutely excited.”
Philipp Ottl, Group Goeleven
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
A former frontrunner in Moto2, Iannone stepped as much as the premier class in 2013 with Pramac earlier than touchdown a job with the manufacturing unit Ducati workforce two years later.
Throughout this stint, Iannone scored a memorable victory on the Pink Bull Ring and secured a finest end of fifth within the championship, however was stepped apart by Ducati to make manner for Jorge Lorenzo.
Iannone subsequently moved to Suzuka in 2017 and loved restricted success, earlier than becoming a member of forces with Aprilia in ‘19.
The doping ban, which was introduced in April 2020, prevented him from returning to MotoGP for an eight straight season.
Denis Sacchetti, workforce supervisor for Group GoEleven, describing the signing of Iannone as a “brave selection” however feels the 34-year-old has the willpower to achieve success in World Superbike.
“We now have labored exhausting to make this dream actual; we’ve needed to shout it out to the world for a while now, however creating such an vital challenge will not be straightforward and have to be structured rigorously,” he stated.
“‘The Maniac’ has determined to get again into the sport, it is not for everybody, it takes guts after every thing that has occurred and a lot time away from racing. It’s a brave selection, for some it might appear loopy, however the correct amount of insanity and braveness can result in nice feats.
“Why this guess? After we began speaking to him, we had been impressed by his willpower, grit and want to return doing what he loves.”
Iannone will take the place of Philipp Oettl, until Go Eleven can broaden to a second bike in 2024.