Factory Ducati Launches 2026 WorldSBK Campaign with New Rider Line-Up
The factory Ducati WorldSBK team has officially launched its 2026 championship campaign, unveiling its new Panigale V4 R machinery and confirming a refreshed rider line-up headlined by the arrival of Spanish rider Iker Lecuona. The launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outfit, which enters the season determined to challenge for riders’, teams’ and manufacturers’ honours once again.
Credit: WSBK Press
A central storyline of the 2026 launch is Lecuona’s move into Ducati’s factory colours for the first time, replacing veteran champion Álvaro Bautista in the works team. The Spaniard arrives after several seasons developing his experience in the production-based racing world and now steps into one of the most competitive seats on the grid, riding the Ducati Panigale V4 R alongside established contender Nicolò Bulega.
Ducati leadership described the new pairing as a blend of youthful energy and proven performance, highlighting Bulega’s strong recent championship form while expressing confidence that Lecuona has the talent to take a significant step forward with factory machinery. The team’s objective remains clear: maintain Ducati’s position at the front of the championship while continuing to evolve the Panigale V4 R through aerodynamic and mechanical refinements introduced for the new season.
Credit: WSBK Press
The unveiling event also showcased the updated 2026 livery, retaining Ducati’s iconic red identity while incorporating subtle design updates aligned with the manufacturer’s centenary celebrations. Team officials emphasised that, beyond aesthetics, the focus has been on performance development, reliability improvements and refining race-weekend execution to ensure the team remains competitive across the diverse WorldSBK calendar.
For Lecuona, the move represents a major career opportunity. After building experience in MotoGP and gaining familiarity with production-based superbikes in recent seasons, he now joins a factory programme known for delivering race-winning machinery and championship success. Ducati executives believe his adaptability and technical feedback will play an important role in the continued development of the bike throughout the year.
Credit: WSBK Press
With the rider roster confirmed and the new machines unveiled, attention now turns to preseason testing, where Ducati will begin evaluating performance benchmarks against rival manufacturers. Early testing sessions will be crucial in determining whether the updated package delivers the pace required to maintain Ducati’s championship-contending status.
As the 2026 WorldSBK season approaches, the combination of Bulega’s proven competitiveness and Lecuona’s arrival in factory colours signals a clear statement of intent from Ducati: the Italian manufacturer remains firmly focused on fighting for the crown.