One of the hottest topics in the Superbike paddock is Alvaro Bautista's future at Ducati. The three-time WSBK world champion, who is contracted until 2025, has expressed some reservations about the new Panigale V4 R, which is set to make its World Superbike debut in 2026.
Ducati prepares for major change in World Championship Superbike with the introduction of the new Panigale V4 R. The defending champion, Alvaro Bautista, is one of the team's key drivers Aruba.it Ducati, but it remains uncertain as to the exact date of the test of this latest generation machine.
When World Ducati Week last July, Baptist got a first look at the 4 Panigale V2025, but according to him, this version was far from the configuration that will be used in racing. The motorcycle at WDW was very different of the one that will undergo initial testing next year" he explained to GPOne.com. For now, I don't know when I will be able to test it."
Alvaro Bautista's future at Ducati linked to the new Panigale V4 R
Regarding his future with Ducati, Baptist, under contract until 2025, is frank about his expectations. Although the Italian manufacturer is ready to deploy this machine in 2026, the Spaniard does not hesitate to say what he would do if the bike does not meet his expectations: " If I try it and like it, I'll stay. If not, I'll leave it to someone else. We will see. I'm curious to test it because the WDW version was not in racing configuration."
Baptist has not hidden his enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge, but he remains realistic about his choices. The objective is clear: to test the new Panigale V4 R, see if it suits him, and then decide on his future. Ducati expects a lot from this machine, and Baptist, with his determination, could well be at the heart of this revolution.
