WSB: Leon Haslam receives contract extension at Honda for 2021

HRC have confirmed that Leon Haslam will remain with their factory World Superbike team next season.

Haslam will once again line-up alongside Alvaro Bautista on the CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade in 2021 after receiving a one-year contract extension at Honda.

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“To say I’m pleased about renewing my contract with Team HRC would be an understatement,” Haslam said. “This year has been difficult, with Covid-19 and limited test sessions, but I knew right from the start that this project has great potential and so to have a second year in which to continue developing the Fireblade and working with the team is very important to me.

“I’m really confident that we can be fighting for the top steps of the podium in SBK and that’s my ultimate goal, so to work towards this with Honda and Team HRC is fantastic. I’m excited and can’t wait for the 2021 season to get underway.”

This year marked the full-time return of HRC within the WSB paddock, with Haslam and Bautista working to development the brand-new Fireblade. Haslam’s best result of the season so far is fourth in race two at the Teruel Round, whilst Bautista finished on the podium (third) at Aragon. 

Haslam has a long relationship with Honda and is set to start his 100th race for the Japanese firm in Race 2 at Estoril this weekend. Only Aaron Slight (163), Jonathan Rea (140) and Colin Edwards (127) have started more races with Honda. 

The 37-year-old’s last podium with Honda came in the wet of Magny-Cours in 2014, with his first one coming as a wildcard at Portimao back in 2008.

Today’s announcement ends speculation about Haslam’s potential return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in 2021. It also closes another door for Chaz Davies, who will be replaced by Michael Ruben Rinaldi in the factory Ducati team next season.