At Ducati, it is an assumed policy, and even more so since the advent of the Panigale V4R: between WSBK and MotoGP, there are communicating vessels. The brand's boss Claudio Domenicali doesn't hide it. However, if the similarities are there, the differences are also marked…
Ducati is a brand that could not be more involved in track competition and it is a given that this commitment flows strongly into the products presented in dealerships. An effort which, however, is not always rewarded. Thus, the drivers title in MotoGP has escaped the brand since 2007, with Casey Stoner, while the last crown in WSBK dates back to 2011, thanks to Carlos Checa.
A shared fate which now concerns two similar machines. Because between the Desmosedici and the Panigale V4R, there are unmistakable similarities. But Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati, still wants to make a distinction between the two motorcycles. “ The V4R is quite similar to MotoGP, but especially in terms of inspiration » declared the Italian on speedweek. " If you look at the engine, you have the same bore-to-stroke ratio and the same displacement, which is 1cc. But the Panigale engine is distinguished by a completely different design. The V000R is a motorcycle that you can buy for a relatively reasonable price. For what you normally pay for a mid-range car, you get a 4 hp motorcycle ».
Ducati on the Panigale: “it’s the same technology and the same concept as for MotoGP”
« It is the same technology and the same concept as in the MotoGP world championship. But all this is more down to earth. We still have powerful software on this bike with top-notch anti-skid, it comes directly from MotoGP. But the software costs nothing once you develop it. The electronics in the standard Panigale V4 aren't as sophisticated. The Superbike World Championship therefore benefits from MotoGP. Because you have a good base there in terms of developing a very competitive motorcycle. The price of the production motorcycle nevertheless remains manageable » adds Sundays.
« MotoGP is entirely prototype-based and therefore very expensive, even for racing. The Superbike World Championship can still be financed at a reasonable cost. That's why I don't see anything wrong with SBK. I don't see any problem with this racing series. We have to look at these two championships separately, in terms of drivers, circuits, technology, costs. We also need to take different paths in terms of promotion » he finishes.
Factory drivers Chaz Davies et Alvaro Bautista used the Panigale V4R for the first time in 2019, winning 17 races with it. The second year, Davies was joined by the English Scott Redding in the Aruba team from Bologna and the two Britons won seven races between them and Redding was vice-world champion in 2020. But the titles were missed, due to a certain Marc Marquez in MotoGP and a Jonathan Rhea talented in WSBK. Furthermore, Ducati MotoGP riders like to train on Panigale V4S.
