As suggested by Motorsport.com in August, Sykes will replace Lucas Mathias in the satellite Kawasaki team owned by Manuel Puccetti Mahias), while the Frenchman was eliminated after two disappointing seasons in which he did not finish better than seventh in a single race.
The deal reunites Sykes with Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki, with whom he won the 2013 championship and won all 34 of his successful tenure of nearly a decade victory of the game.
After parting ways with Kawasaki after the 2018 season, the British driver teamed up with BMW, but the partnership failed to deliver the desired results, with the two sides failing to agree on terms to continue racing together at WSBK for another year.
This prompted Sykes and Paul Bird Ducati to return to the British Superbike Championship, but the 37-year-old will return to the WSBK paddock Puccetti next season with a bike .
“I am delighted to be joining Kawasaki Puccetti Racing and returning to the WorldSBK paddock. The way Manuel Puccetti has managed his team and his racing mentality, and of course the team’s infrastructure, over the years, Impressed. Every aspect means I am highly motivated ahead of the 2023 season.
“I have another chance, I will be a part of the Kawasaki family again , building relationships that have been solid. I can’t wait to start this project and get to know the whole team. ”
Lucas Mahias, Kawasaki Pccetti Racing
Photo by Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Sykes will test Kawasaki ZX-10RR after the 2022 WSBK season in December, Puchetti team owner Manuel Pugh Chetty hopes his recruitment will help boost the team’s competitiveness next year.
Sykes sees the record for most pole positions in WSBK with 51 starts from the front row, most of which It was during his race with Team Kawasaki.
“The team and I are really excited to welcome a world champion like Tom Sykes,” said Puchetti.
“I believe we can rn and grow together and also use his vital testing experience to make our ninja more competitive. With a rider like him, our goal is to be in the top five.
“We’ve got a testing schedule in place, starting in Jerez in December, when we’ll start building our ninja around Tom. We’ll then continue testing in the wind tunnel , with further track testing in January. The whole team is very happy to welcome a top driver like Tom.”
After being eliminated by Puchetti, Mahias is expected to return World Supersport Championship, where he won the 2017 title with Yamaha.
Manuel Puccetti thanked Mahias for playing for the team, which included two seasons at World Supersport before qualifying for the top flight in 2021.
“I want to thank Lucas Mahias for the four years we spent together,” he said.
“We had success and satisfaction in Supersport and in Superbike, despite a good overall performance, we had to deal with a few injuries that kept us from getting what he and our team deserved Results. We wish Lucas all the best and a great future.”
