Winner of eight of the nine races this season - his only defeat due to a fall in the Mandalika Superpole - Bautista extending his Ducati contract would seem a logical co♑nclusion.

ꦯBut the 38-year-old explained that racing takes its toll on his personal life and he will be taking into account the wishes of his family and, specifically, his young daughter.

Speaking after a perfect sweep of three wins at Assen this past week🍷end, Bautista said:

“Before the season 🔯started, I sai♏d that after the third [round] I will take a decision [for 2024].

“We have had three rounds, and no﷽w have one and h💎alf weeks at home - with my family, with my daughter, and I will ask them their opinion.

“Because now my daughter starts to be bigger and understands that: Daddy is out, Daddy is travelling, Daddy is ꧑not at home... So it’s not easy!

“ꦡI’m really happy with my performance right now in my professional life, but also the personal [life] is becoming more💮 special and more important.

“Let’s see. Now we have a couple of days to think aboutꦡ it and try to take a decision for me, for my fam✤ily, and also for the team as soon as possible.”

Bautista has been a full-t🌠ime world championship rider since 2003 🍨in the 125cc class.

In addition to las𝔉t year’s Superb🔯ike crown, he was also 125cc world champion in 2006, won races in 250GP and took three podiums during 158 starts in MotoGP before switching to WorldSBK in 2019.

𝕴Bautista is currently 56 points clear of nearest rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) in the early WorldSBK standings.

The next best Duc🤪ati rider is A♒xel Bassani, in fourth, with Bautista's factory team-mate Michael Rinaldi sixth, just ahead of ex-Ducati MotoGP winner Danilo Petrucci.