Source: Supplied.

Aruba.it Racing Ducati has revealed current WorldSBK contender Marco Melandri will remain with the outfit in 2018 after announcing a one year contract extension.

Melandri, who currently sits fourth in the world standings, will race alongside teammate Chaz Davies aboard the Panigale R in an unchanged line-up for the new year.

The Italian expressed his pleasure in signing on with Aruba.it Racing, commenting that remaining with the same team and bike will present him with the best opportunity of achieving his goals.

“I’m really happy for the opportunity to prolong this professional collaboration, which represented a new beginning in my career as a rider,” Melandri explained. “Together with Ducati and Aruba.it, we enjoyed some really memorable moments, while in other occasions I think my long break from racing affected our performance, so I’m sure there’s still plenty of room to improve.

“To this end, continuing with the same team and the same bike represents the best possible opportunity to achieve higher goals. I’m ready to tackle a new season with more experience and confidence, and it’s a challenge that makes me incredibly happy.”

Melandri still has five more rounds to focus on before switching his attention to 2018, with the ninth round of the 2017 WorldSBK series scheduled for this weekend at Lausitzring, Germany.