Pedrosa, who retired from full-time competitors on the finish of the 2018 season, contested two wildcards in 2023 as a part of his take a look at rider function with KTM.
The primary was on the Spanish GP at Jerez, the place the 31-time MotoGP race winner completed a powerful sixth within the dash and seventh within the grand prix.
He returned for the San Marino GP at Misano and went on to finish fourth in both races, narrowly lacking a primary podium since 2017.
Final month KTM confirmed that it had all the pieces in place for Pedrosa to make a wildcard at Jerez and had been ready for the rider to provide his approval.
“I had a whole lot of enjoyable at Jerez final 12 months and the welcome from the followers was wonderful,” mentioned Pedrosa.
“Everyone knows Jerez is a particular place. For us it’s going to even be vital to make use of some references for our checks and put it into the race surroundings once more. That is the principle purpose to compete in 2024.”
KTM has additionally confirmed the date for Espargaro’s MotoGP return, after he stepped right into a take a look at rider function having lost his Tech3 ride to Augusto Fernandez.
Espargaro will contest the Italian GP originally of June, marking his first MotoGP race look since final 12 months’s Valencia GP.
Pol Espargaro, Tech3 GASGAS Manufacturing facility Racing
Picture by: Rob Grey / Polarity Picture
Espargaro says he feels extra like his “{old} self” following his critical accident in Portugal final season that dominated him out for half of the 12 months and is trying ahead to getting a race outing on the brand new KTM.
“Actually completely happy to be racing once more and particularly at Mugello, which is a really particular place to get on a MotoGP bike,” Espargaro famous.
“It will likely be cool to be again on the grid with the fellows. Testing has been going very well and I’m very motivated.
“I’m extra like my ‘{old} self’ after the harm of 2023. I’m trying ahead to being proper again into the MotoGP ‘household’ and exhibiting that our testing work is powerful and quick.”
As KTM operates as a C ranked producer below MotoGP’s concession guidelines for 2024, it’s allowed a maximum of six wildcards for the season.
As such, Espargaro and Pedrosa may make as much as 4 extra race appearances this 12 months relying on how KTM desires to divide up its remaining wildcards.
Yamaha, Honda and Aprilia are additionally in a position to area at the very least six wildcards throughout the 2024 season as a consequence of their rankings inside the new concessions system.
Ducati will not be allowed to area any.