Andrea Iannone will return to MotoGP this weekend at the Malaysian Grand Prix with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.

After being absent from the MotoGP paddock for five years Andrea Iannone makes his return this weekend. Iannone was banned from racing in 2019 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. However, after completing his ban he returned to racing in the World Superbike Championship in 2024.

After not riding a MotoGP bike since the 2019 Australian Grand Prix Iannone will get another chance in Malaysia and Valencia. When speaking to MotoGP.com before the weekend Iannone explained how he was full of emotion to be back in MotoGP.

"Everything is strange but really good," Iannone told MotoGP.com. "I do not have a lot of words because I am full of emotion.

"I am really happy to be here, I have seen many, many people. I am emotional because tomorrow I try the bike, one more time, and it is strange because I think the bike has changed a lot. But I am curious."

"I think in the end it is a good story, a really beautiful story."

Iannone will ride the Ducati GP23 this weekend in the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. The Italian is good friends with team owner, Valentino Rossi, who offered Iannone the ride directly.

The 35-year-old explained that Rossi contacted him whilst on his way to the World Superbike finale. Iannone did not take much convincing as he immediately jumped at the opportunity to return to MotoGP.

Iannone said: "I was on a flight, so my phone was off. When I arrived in Jerez I put on my phone and saw a message from Vale. He was saying 'Andrea I have called you but your phone is off, when you see the message call back please.'

"When I called him back he said 'Do you want to ride our bike for the last two rounds because Di Gi is having surgery?' I did not decide in one second but immediately. I think in the end it is a really good story, a really beautiful story."

When asked what has changed with MotoGP machines since 2019 Iannone stated that he does not know what to expect. 'The Maniac' explained how he just wants to ride the back and see what happens.

"We will see, I don't know what to expect," Iannone stated. "I have seen the bikes change a lot in many things and many areas. But I don't want to think in this way, I want to get on the bike, start to ride and see what happens."