Official: Leon Haslam to make WorldSBK return, unveils 2022 BSB colours

Most recently with Kawasaki and Honda in WorldSBK, Haslam returned to British Superbike with Lee Hardy Racing - now called VisionTrack Kawasaki in February after failing to agree on a full-time deal with Pedericini. 

But with the 2018 BSB champion now confirmed to be taking part in four wildcard rounds, it means both he and reigning series champion Tarran Mackenzie will complete a total of seven rounds between them. 

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While Mackenzie is set to race at round two in Assen later this month - uncertainty remains as the McAMS Yamaha rider suffered a crash during this week’s Silverstone test which has left him with a suspected left ankle fracture - Haslam will make his return to WorldSBK at round four in June. 

Starting with Misano, all four of Haslam’s wildcard appearances will take place during European rounds. Further races scheduled include his home event at Donington Park, Autodrom Most (Czech Republic) and Portimao. 

Discussing his return, Haslam said: "I am super excited. I’ve known Lucio [Pedercini] for so many years and actually raced against him back in the day when I first started. 

"I did a one-off wildcard with the team in Qatar a few years back and managed to finish in the top five and I have a lot of fond memories of being a part of the team. 

"To be able to come back and ride with them again after all these years is really exciting for me and I hope we can achieve some good results together. 

"The focus of course is BSB, but we have been able to find a solution that will see me return to the WorldSBK for these four races and I am really looking forward to it."

A five-time WorldSBK race winner, Haslam will be aboard a familiar ZX-10RR machine, which is also the bike he will ride in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. 

Team Owner, Lucio Pedercini added: "Leon coming back to our team is a perfect match. We both still have a lot to say on track in the WorldSBK paddock and we are looking forward to entertaining the public for four rounds of pure racing passion! 

"Thanks to our knowledge and his ability, we are confident that we will do battle and hopefully bring some good results like we did together in the past. For sure it will be a lot of fun."

While Haslam won’t be on as good a bike as the 2019 season when he was team-mate to Jonathan Rea at KRT, it’s a package that should allow him to fight for points, despite full-time rider Loris Cresson finishing the Aragon test last. 

Alongside his announced WorldSBK return, Haslam and VisionTrack Kawasaki unveiled their new colours for the 2022 BSB season prior to yesterday’s opening day of testing at Silverstone. 

Speaking about the team’s new colours for this season, Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK continued: "There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes between Lee, Leon and the rest of the team to get to this point, and we have to say, the new livery looks great! If it’s anywhere near as fast as it looks, then we’re confident the VisionTrack Kawasaki team will be in for a strong season!"

Haslam is again in action today as the final BSB pre-season test ahead of next weekend’s season-opener concludes at Silverstone. Haslam finished day-one in eighth position.