Moto3 and World Supersport Champion Sandro Cortese will make a return to the WorldSBK fray for the upcoming test in Spain in place of the injured Leon Camier at Barni Ducati.
The German made his WorldSBK debut in 2019 with the GRT Yamaha team and finished 12th in the overall standings but has been left without a ride for 2020 after quitting the team.
Nonetheless, he will be on hand to test the Barni Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R in Jerez on January 22-23 in place of Camier, who continues to be sidelined after undergoing surgery on his shoulder during the winter hiatus.
Cortese – who scored a best finish of sixth in 2019 – will be on the bike again the following week in Portimao if Camier, whose recovery is coming along well, is unable to retake his spot in the team.
“Our priority at this stage of the season is to develop the new bike trying to arrive in Australia with a high performance bike,” said Marco Barnabo. “That's why we took the opportunity to give the Ducati Panigale V4 R to a fast and experienced rider like Cortese, who is currently free.
“I'm sure that during the two days at Jerez, Sandro will be able to give us a good point of view. It's only at the end of the two days in Spain that we'll decide what to do in Portimao: riding with Camier obviously remains our priority and his recovery is progressing faster than expected.
“Leon would like to take part to the tests at Portimao, but we must not get caught up in the frenzy and carefully evaluate benefits and risks.”
Why doesn't Sandro Cortese have a 2020 WorldSBK seat?
Cortese exited the GRT Yamaha team after being told he would have to bring financing to his seat to retain it despite a positive - if error prone - debut season that saw him notch up two front row starts and 19 top ten finishes.
He was in line to switch to the sister Ten Kate Racing outfit but the failure of a sponsor to come through forced the Dutch team to persevere with just a single entry for Loris Baz.
Cortese has also been linked with the available MIE Racing Honda but, as with GRT, is required to bring financing to secure his place.
