Faced with the current soporific monotony of the Superbike World Championship World SBKThe authorities have taken an important measure applicable from 2027, in the hope of undermining Ducati's hegemony.
Since the phenomenon began Toprak Razgatlioglu towards MotoGP, which was the only one where another machine could triumph, the Borgo Panigale firm indeed dominated the victories in a well-ordered sweep, with the official Panigale bikes always ahead of the satellite V4 R bikes…
Good work well done, despite repeated reductions in fuel flow.
Kesako?
The history of fuel restrictions imposed on Ducati in Superbike is one of a perpetual quest for performance balance. It has evolved over the years, moving from physical restrictions (such as the air restrictors) to more complex systems, such as engine speed limits, leading today to a penalty system based on fuel flow.
The era of Air Restrictors (2000s – 2017)
To compensate for the advantage of the larger engine displacement of the Ducatis (1200 cc versus 1000 cc for the 4-cylinder models), the regulations long imposed air restrictorsThese devices limited the cross-section of the intake ducts to reduce engine power..
-
Principle of the system: The size of these restrictors (generally between 46 mm and 52 mm) could be adjusted according to track results.
-
A concrete example: In 2013, after a difficult start to the season, Ducati obtained permission to switch from a air restrictor from 50 mm to 52 mm for the Monza round, an estimated power gain of 1-2 horsepower.
-
Limitations of the system: This method, designed to contain Ducati, had become ineffective in the face of Kawasaki's dominance and did not allow for a balance of performance between the different 4-cylinder engines..
The transition towards regime limits (2018 – 2024)
To overcome the shortcomings of air restrictorsA new engine speed limiting system was introduced in 2018..
-
A more precise tool: This system allowed the performance of each brand to be adjusted individually by increasing or decreasing its maximum speed in increments of 250 rpm..
-
Application to Ducati: This system directly impacted Ducati, which had to regularly adjust its Panigale V4 R, with rev limits sometimes dropping to 16,100 rpm, compared to 16,500 rpm for the road version..
The current system: fuel flow (since 2025)
The current system, in place since 2025, is even more sophisticated. It regulates the maximum fuel flow (in kg/h) to control power in a more subtle and flexible way.
-
Principle of the penalty: All manufacturers start the season with a basic limit (47 kg/h in 2025)An algorithm evaluates performance after each "Concession Checkpoint" (every two rounds). If a manufacturer outperforms its rivals, it receives a reduction in its fuel flow rate..
-
Application to Ducati: Ducati was one of the first, along with BMW, to be penalized from 2025 onwards, and remained so regularly in 2026 due to its excellent results..
Here is a summary of the main penalties imposed on Ducati since the introduction of this system:
| Date / Round | Reduced flow rate | New limit (Ducati) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early 2025 | 47 kg / h | Basic limit for all manufacturers. | |
| Axes 2025 | -0.5 kg/h | 46.5 kg / h | First penalty for "overperformance". |
| Bridge 2025 | -0.5 kg/h | 46 kg / h | Second penalty (cumulative of -1.0 kg/h). |
| Donington | -0.5 kg/h | 45.5 kg / h | Third penalty (cumulative of -1.5 kg/h). |
| Early 2026 | 45 kg / h | Base limit for Ducati in 2026 (after the 2025 penalties). | |
| Axes 2026 | -0.5 kg/h | 44.5 kg / h | New penalty after Nicolo Bulega's victories. |
Please note: The regulation includes a minimum threshold to avoid damaging the engines, set at 44,5 kg/h in 2026Ducati has already reached that limit, and that doesn't stop the Borgo Panigale firm from outrageously dominating a championship that has gradually become bland…
Superbike Commission Decisions for 2027
Starting in 2027, a engine speed limits specific to each manufacturer will therefore be introduced in addition to the fuel flow limitation.
This engine speed limit can be adjusted in increments of 500 rpmboth upwards and downwards.
The maximum engine speed will be controlled by the manufacturer's software and monitored using the engine speed recorder ("rev logger") of the FIM/DWO.
A review of this limit will be carried out every two rounds, the initial values being established from the engine speeds specific to each manufacturer.
These limitations should be made public, as is the case today in Superbike, and certainly not the case in Supersport…
Will that be enough to bring Ducati back into line?
No doubt, but what is the point of a championship that levels down? The spectacle, of course, at the expense of the work of the engineers.
You can't have everything…
Other measures
Other decisions have been made regarding the championship for motorcycles from the series.
a) From 2027: single fuel supplier
From 2027 onwards, fuel will be supplied exclusively by the single supplier designated within the framework of the Superbike World Championship.
This fuel must comply with the requirements of FIM fuel category 1.
b) From 2027: reduction of noise levels
The noise limit will be lowered by
3 dB, passing to
112 dB.
c) From 2028: new concession system
A new ranking-based concession system ("Rank Concession System") has been studied and will be introduced starting from 2028, with a new definition of the different ranking levels.
d) From 2030: increase in maximum engine displacement
From 2030the maximum permitted engine displacement four cylinders will be brought to 1 cm³.
Superbike 2027 Ducati Superbike 2027 Ducati