Robin Mulhauser will go from reserve rider to race rider when the FIM Endurance World Championship heads to Japan for round three of the season (1-3 August).
The 33-year-old from Switzerland, a key member of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team since 2022 in his role as back-up rider, will form part of the Yamaha-powered Team BabyFace Titanium Power line-up alongside Japanese riders Kazuma Tsuda and Keisuke Maeda.
He said: “It’s been a few years I’ve been trying [to return to Suzuka] but I guess, this year, the planets aligned thanks to Yamaha Motor Japan and Mandy [Kainz] from YART. I went for the test three weeks ago and everything went perfect, I’m very excited about it.
“I don’t have so much track time as a fourth rider each year and I want to ride. Suzuka is so iconic and it’s so good to have this in your career CV. The last few years have been hard to watch from home as a fourth rider because you don’t go to an eight-hour race as a fourth rider. I wanted to be a part of it and if it’s not with my team then why not with another team?”
Mulhauser is no stranger to racing in Japan and took part in the Suzuka 8 Hours when it formed the 2017-18 season finale, meaning he’s well aware of the heat and humidity he will face during race week.
“Of course the conditions are tough but eight hours is way more motivating than 24 hours,” said Mulhauser, who finished 30th overall back in 2018. “When I was in Moto2 I’ve been to Motegi and I went to Suzuka in 2018 with Bolliger. I know what to expect.”
In terms of a target result, Mulhauser has high hopes: “We were quite fast on the second day of the test, just in front of YART, so you start to dream. I know the race week will be very different because all the teams will be there and it will be hard against the factory teams. If we can have a good rhythm, honestly the top 10 would be so good. If some crazy things happen why not dream for a podium.”
The 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race takes place from 1-3 August. Click HERE for more information.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
