Japanese WorldSBK star Kohta Nozane will remain with Yamaha for the 2022 season but in which team is unclear.

Despite having no experience of the circuits, Pirelli tyres and the WorldSBK-spec Yamaha R1, Nozane has shown impressive progression throughout his maiden season.

With two rounds remaining, at San Juan, Argentina, and the all-new Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia, Nozane is the third highest-placed rookie in the standings and sits fifth in the Independent Riders’ championship.

“Kohta has shown some really great progress throughout his first season in the WorldSBK championship. It is not easy to adapt to the new circuits, ones that most of the grid are familiar with, new tyres and a different bike to what he was used to," said Yamaha race boss Andrea Dosoli.

"Despite this, we’ve been impressed with the way in which he has improved, and he showed some promising performances in recent races. Next year, we are confident Kohta will be able to achieve the next level, fighting regularly in the top 10 like he has shown he can do in some races this year. So we’re very happy to have him on board with us for another season.”

It is likely Nozane will remain in the GRT Yamaha team with Garrett Gerloff but rumours that Go Eleven are switching to R1s next year refuse to go away and that woul leave a space at GRT for Britain's Tarran Mackenzie.