Ducati has become the second factory team to reveal its colours for the 2022 WorldSBK Championship as the series’ most successful manufacturer bids to reclaim its first title since 2011.
Continuing its long-running partnership with title sponsor Aruba, the 2022-spec bike features a refreshed red and black livery in what will be the Panigale V4 R’s four season of competition.
The biggest headline for the new season, however, is the return of Alvaro Bautista to the Italian marque after two seasons with Honda, the Spaniard paired with the retained Michael Ruben Rinaldi.
Three years after finishing runner-up to Jonathan Rea in his rookie WorldSBK season, Bautista comes into the year looking for a return to the form that saw him reel off a record-breaking 11 consecutive wins out of the box, while Rinaldi will seek to build on the trio of wins he achieved with the team in 2021.
Runner-up in five of the last seven seasons, Ducati heads into the 2022 WorldSBK campaign with a clear target to claim a record-breaking 15th title and its first since Carlos Checa triumphed in 2011.
“We look at the 2022 WorldSBK season with high ambition and strong determination,” said team manager Stefano Cecconi. “The goal of our team is to always take a step forward, year after year, in terms of performance and results.
“This is the reason why we are proud to represent Ducati in the World Superbike Championship, feeling the presence and passion of the Ducatista people on every circuit. We have bet on Alvaro Bautista’s return and we want to fight with him a more exciting season than the 2019, which gave us great satisfactions after all.
“We firmly believe in Michael Rinaldi and we reckon he is ready to take that significant step forward after the steady growth he has shown so far.”
Ducati goes for the double with WorldSSP return
In addition to revealing its WorldSBK contender, the factory outfit formally revealed its new challenger in the new-look WorldSSP Championship.
Taking advantage of new regulations that allow larger capacity models to be homologated, Aruba.it Ducati has taken advantage of the Panigale V2’s eligibility to expand its racing efforts for 2022.
One of five Ducati entries on this year’s competitive grid, Aruba.it’s efforts will be led by ex-Moto2 rider Nicolo Buelga.
"I'm very motivated for this new adventure. It's a great opportunity for me and I feel I have all the requirements to do well. The tests have been very positive, I felt comfortable both with the Panigale V2 and with the team, which is very important to me.
“It's going to be a tough season for sure and for this reason we need to put our heads together and try to get the most out of every single race.”
