Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) will depart Kawasaki machinery at the end of this year as a nine-season partnership between KRT and Rea concludes at the end of the 2023 season. 36-year-old Rea, who has won all his titles with Kawasaki, over 100 races in nine seasons in green and was set to stay with Kawasaki with a contract for 2024, will now not race for the team next season after he and the team opted to end the agreement by mutual consent.

HONDA HEROICS: humble beginnings for Rea

Rea’s time in WorldSBK began back in 2008, when he wildcarded at Portimao – the track’s first round – taking home a fourth place in Race 1 after a front row start, whilst he was in contention for a strong result before running off at Turn 1 in Race 2. Still, a full-time ride awaited in 2009, and he won for the Ten Kate Honda outfit at Misano, his first of 119 WorldSBK wins to-date. Staying with the manufacturer until the end of 2014 and winning a total of 15 races, however a new challenge dawned for 2015.

THE ALL-CONQUERING PARTNERSHIP: Rea and Kawasaki make history

When it was announced that Rea would make the switch to Kawasaki for 2015, instantly, he was one of the favourites for success and to fight for the title, and he didn’t disappoint. He stormed to the title, wrapping it up at Jerez with two full rounds to go, and with that, the Rea era was born. An updated ZX-10RR kept it and the Ulsterman at the top for 2016, right the way through to 2020, taking six astonishing Championships and signing his name in history as the greatest of all time as far as numbers are concerned. Missing out on the title in 2021 to Razgatlioglu in a final round showdown and remaining as a key race win contender in 2022, it was clear that the Rea-Kawasaki package, that for so long, had been a benchmark, was now in new territory and whilst wins continued and records were updated, 2023’s difficulties have struck a new chord and forced a change going into 2024.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: thankful Rea and KRT on the bombshell news

Speaking about his departure, Rea thanked Kawasaki for helping him to achieve so much: “I want to thank everyone at KMC and KRT for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level. I have learnt and grown so much as a person and a rider since the first day throwing my leg over the factory Ninja ZX-10R superbike. Winning six consecutive WorldSBK Championships will always be the most obvious highlight of my time with Kawasaki; but it will also be the amazing memories, the life lessons, and the laughs that I will take with me into the future. And, for sure, it’s our mission to complete the 2023 season as strongly and with as much commitment as we have always shown. Now, looking back on our journey, it fills me with pride at the joy and happiness we have brought Kawasaki fans and Kawasaki owners around the world. This is not a goodbye, because you don’t say goodbye to family, but it is simply the end of this incredible chapter. I wish everyone at KRT the best of luck for the chapters that will surely follow. See you at the track.”

KRT Team Manager Guim Roda added: “In life as well as racing, priorities define the path to follow. I am very happy and proud that during these nine years Jonny has defined his priorities with KRT and has given us so many successes. I consider myself, our team, Kawasaki and all our fans worldwide, privileged to have been part of this journey.  Whichever direction he goes in the future, I hope he can continue to grow as a rider. The task we have now is to finish the 2023 season as best we can with the tools we have been able to forge this year. As always, we will continue to look for improvements and seek advantage wherever possible. KRT is committed to putting on a good show with Johnny during his last four races on the formidable and impressive Ninja ZX-10RR that he has become synonymous with.”

REA’S VACANT SEAT: what does it mean for the rest of the grid?

At BMW, it seems that it will be either Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) or current teammate Scott Redding alongside Razgatlioglu, with an announcement teased by the latter at Imola on the Sunday. There was then no announcement, only one from Redding in the days later that he’d definitely be on the WorldSBK grid in 2024; you can read all about those topics combined, here.

Elsewhere, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) are yet to slot in, although Ducati dropped a recent hint about Rinaldi’s future at the Aragon test. As for Honda’s rider line-up, there’s been no confirmation or even mere rumours of 2024 yet. Away from established WorldSBK riders, could there be a surprise on the cards? Adrian Huertas recently tested for KRT at Aragon and the general feeling from the team was one that was impressed with the debutant’s performance. 

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