Casey Stoner to join full 2016 MotoGP field in Tuesday's test
Casey Stoner will return to the MotoGP fold on Tuesday during the Sepang pre-season test, Ducati has confirmed
The double world champion turned his first Ducati laps since 2010 in a private session at the Malaysian Grand Prix venue on Saturday, after which an appearance on an unspecified day during this week's official, pre-season test was announced.
Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone and test rider Michele Pirro represented Ducati during Monday's opening day and Stoner will join them on Tuesday.
Following three seasons as a Honda test rider after retiring aged 27, it will be the first time the Australian has shared the track with the MotoGP field since his last race, at Valencia in November 2012.
Stoner declared himself happy with his pace at the end of Saturday's running, when he had lapped within seven tenths of a second of Ducati's best race lap in the 2015 grand prix.
"We've got a lot of things to test and get myself a little bit more acquainted with the bike but generally I'm very happy," he said.
"The Desmosedici GP has a lot of potential, hopefully we can give the right input and help the two Andreas to try and achieve something great this year."
Ducati has so far played down the likelihood of Stoner's new role including wildcard race appearances.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments