Source: Supplied.

Current Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) leader Leon Haslam will make a full-time return to the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2019 with the Kawasaki Racing Team.

Haslam, who has five WorldSBK race wins and 39 podiums to his name, will transition from his role at the British-based JG Speedfit Kawasaki team to join multi-time champion Jonathan Rea at the factory squad for his first campaign in the world series since 2015.

“I have to say a big thanks to Kawasaki for this opportunity,” Haslam commented. “Returning to the Superbike World Championship is something I’m really looking forward to. After scoring race wins, lap records, pole positions and a championship runner-up position in my seven years there it’s going to be great to get back to WorldSBK.

“The support of Kawasaki throughout my three years in the British Superbike Championship and via KHI at the Suzuka 8-Hour race has been exceptional. The like-minded approach from Kawasaki UK and KHI in Japan has been really appreciated and I’m now hoping to repay them with the 2018 British Superbike title and then to challenge for next year’s WorldSBK Championship.

“The 2019 season will throw up some new challenges as the competitiveness between the manufacturers continues to be at the highest level but I’m confident that with the professional and successful team behind me we can enjoy plenty of success.”

The British ace will line-up alongside Rea and Kazuma Watanabe at this weekend’s Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan as the official Team Green outfit, which marks the final round of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC).