Danilo Petrucci Stays With Barni Ducati in WorldSBK 2025

Danilo Petrucci will remain part of the Ducati WorldSBK line-up in 2025 after agreeing a new deal with Barni Racing. As big a news as that may seem, the team are pushing hard for yet another Panigale V4 R to be on the grid.

Just like in MotoGP, Ducati has the biggest presence on the Superbike grid with six riders, although that could become even more in 2025. Not only has Bonovo (BMW’s satellite team) been in discussions with the Italian brand about fielding a Panigale V4 R next season, but Barni are now interested in having a second bike alongside Petrucci’s V4 R.

As someone who has always been a Ducati fan when it comes to riding their bikes, seeing more of the flashy red bikes from Borgo Panigale is never a bad thing in my mind. Whether that’s out on the road or on the track racing, I’m the first to admit that I enjoy seeing the Italian manufacturer do well. But not everyone might feel that way when it comes to racing, especially, as fans always want to watch something exciting and competitive. That’s not to say Ducati will continue winning just because they add another bike to the grid, because that hasn’t exactly been the case in World Superbike this season.

Sure, Ducati has been the strongest brand in racing recently and the addition of another Panigale V4 R in World Superbike could make the championship harder for other brands to compete with, but BMW are doing just fine in 2024 as star rider Toprak Razgatlioglu has won the last 13 races in succession.

With clear goals in sight for the remainder of this season, Barni Racing’s team owner didn’t hide the fact that renewing their partnership with Petrucci is just the start of their ambition for 2025. Marco Bernabo said: “Renewing with Danilo has always been our priority. We know his worth and have great confidence in his abilities. I’m very happy to continue racing with him next season. Together we are on a path that has already brought us great results, like during the weekend just concluded in Portimao.

“Our goal is to win the independent team title on 2024 and 2025 and stand on the top step of the podium in a WorldSBK race. I would like to thank Danilo for the trust and esteem he shows towards the team, and all the sponsors who support us and wanted this renewal with us. Together with Spark we are working for the growth of the team: the second Panigale V4 in Superbike. This has always been our goal, and we would like to have another rider alongside Danilo.”

Elated to be staying with Barni Ducati, the team he was racing with before leaving for MotoGP many years ago, Petrucci added: “This is the team where I was before going to MotoGP, and the one with which I returned to a world championship after Dakar and MotoAmerica.

“In short, I feel at home here, and the renewal was what I wanted. Barni, his family, and his team give everything they have to make a competitive bike. I’m not that young anymore, but I still feel good, and as long as I’m in shape, I have no intention of staying home. Barni and I still want to enjoy some success together, this year and next.”

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