Former MotoGP star Randy de Puniet has signed for the factory Honda World Endurance team for the remainder of 2019.
The Frenchman will join Yonny Hernandez and Sebastien Gimbert in the squad for the remaining four round, which includes the iconic Suzuka Eight-Hours.
"I am very happy to return to Honda and ride in EWC for the rest of the 2019 season. I have had past successes in the championship and I think with Honda, and Sébastien and Yonny we will be a very strong team indeed. I am looking forward to the first test and to get going with the Fireblade at Le Mans," said De Puniet.
De Puniet has a history with Honda. He raced for the LCR Honda team from 2008-2010 in MotoGP where he stood on the podium, and he helped F.C.C. TSR Honda France secure 3rd place at the Suzuka 8 Hours (2016-2017). The 38-year-old has also finished on the EWC podium a further five times, and was the French 125cc Champion in 1998 and a race-winner in the 250cc class of MotoGP.
Team boss Johnny Twelvetrees added: "We’ve got a really great team for the rest of the EWC season; Séb is an endurance specialist with tons of experience with the team and also the Fireblade. We then have Randy, who has built a good endurance record in the last few years.
"I’m also really pleased to have Yonny with us for the season, he’s been a valuable team member when we have drafted him in during previous rounds and I think with these three riders we’ve got an outstanding team! I can’t wait to get to Le Mans for the second round, it seems like a very long time between round one and round two; so I’m looking forward to getting out there and showing what we can all do."
