Ducati Corse has confirmed its WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista will make his much discussed MotoGP wild-card outing at the Malaysian MotoGP round at Sepang.

It will be Bautista’s first outing in MotoGP since he departed the premier class at the conclusion of the 2018 season ahead of his high-profile switch to WorldSBK with the factory Ducati team.

First announced back in May upon confirming an extension to his WorldSBK contract, the wildcard has been granted as a reward for clinching Ducati’s first title in the production based series in 11 years. 

It is a feat he is well on course to match again in 2023 having opened up a 74 point lead over Toprak Razgatlioglu with four rounds remaining.

In the meantime though, the Spaniard has been busy limbering up for the guest outing - which will take place on 10-12 November - with recent tests on the Ducati GP23 held at Misano and again last week at Aragon. 

“I'm really happy to be able to race in MotoGP as a Wild Card at Sepang, a track that I really like and that I'm happy to be back at since it's not on the WorldSBK calendar. The tests with the Ducati Desmosedici GP gave positive feedback: the feeling was good, and I had fun. 

“I want to sincerely thank Ducati and Aruba.it because, without them, it would have been impossible to have this opportunity. At the same time, I would like to say that this MotoGP race will be a bonus for me and not a priority. 

“That's why we must stay focused on the WorldSBK Championship, which is the only thing that matters now. I want to stay focused for this last part of the season, which will be very demanding, with many races in a short time. 

“The feeling with the Panigale V4R machine is good, and I hope to continue on this path. Then, when the season ends, we'll think about going to Malaysia and having fun. Now I'll have a little holiday, and then we'll be back at Magny-Cours."

Crowned 125GP World Champion in 2006, Bautista went on to make his MotoGP debut with Suzuki in 2010 before going on to compete with Gresini Honda, Aprilia Racing and Aspar Ducati during a tenure of spanning nine seasons.

Effectively a third works entry for Ducati - albeit run under the Aruba.it Racing banner - this wildcard won’t be his first outing with the factory squad having deputised for the injured Jorge Lorenzo in the 2018 Australian MotoGP, finishing fourth.