Yamaha Motor Europe has confirmed that Andrea Locatelli will compete on WorldSBK R1 machinery until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Following and impressive rookie performances in the 2021 FIM Superbike World Championship, the Italian rider will remain in blue for the coming two seasons as he builds his challenge for championship contention.

Locatelli’s sensational first season in the WorldSBK championship sees him currently sit fourth in the standings heading into the final five rounds. His breakthrough weekend coming at the TT Circuit Assen, where he scored his first podium finish.

Since his Dutch success, the 24-year-old has failed to finish outside the top four with further podiums secured at Most and Magny-Cours. His performances had already triggered a clause in his contract seeing him remain with Yamaha for 2022, but both the manufacturer and rider are keen to continue this relationship into 2023, where Yamaha hopes to help him challenge for race wins and championship titles.

Locatelli stepped up to the 2021 WorldSBK grid following a record-breaking FIM Supersport World Championship campaign that saw him take 12 victories on his way to the title, which he clinched with three rounds to spare in Barcelona. His climb from WorldSSP rookie to WorldSBK front-runner perfectly represents Yamaha’s step-up program and its commitment to giving young riders the opportunity to realise their potential.

“I’m really happy to be extending my contract with Yamaha for two more years,” Locatelli said from Barcelona. "For me, it’s a great opportunity. We have a really good group, a good team and a good bike, so I think in the future we can do very well.

“I’m so excited to be here and to continue to be a part of the Yamaha family. I’d like to say a special thanks to Andrea Dosoli, Eric de Seynes [Yamaha Motor Europe President & CEO], and everyone at Yamaha for giving me this opportunity. Now, we have two more years to try to improve together and achieve the best possible results.”

“We are delighted to confirm that Andrea will remain with the Yamaha family until at least the end of the 2023 WorldSBK season,” Yamaha Motor Europe, Road Racing Manager, Andrea Dosoli added.

“He has been an integral part of Yamaha’s step-up program, and has demonstrated what our vision has been over the last few years. We expected that ‘Loka’ would be fast this year, but very few anticipated that he would already be challenging for podiums at such an early stage in his WorldSBK career.

“We want to secure him for the future and help guide him towards even greater success, and this new contract will give us the best opportunity to help him achieve that.”