Rabat Joins PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda as Lopes Returns for Donington WorldSBK Round

With two experienced riders on board, PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda is looking forward to a strong outing at one of WorldSBK’s most historic venues.

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PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team has confirmed its rider lineup for the upcoming WorldSBK round at Donington Park, United Kingdom, scheduled from 11 to 13 July. The team will welcome former Moto2 World Champion Tito Rabat and returning substitute rider Ivo Lopes to the grid, with regular rider Zaqhwan Zaidi competing elsewhere.

Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi will not take part in the British round as he is set to represent his home country at the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Motegi, Japan this weekend. His absence opens the door once again for Portuguese rider Ivo Lopes, who has previously substituted for the team throughout the 2024 season, including appearances at Portimão, Magny-Cours, Cremona, Estoril, and Jerez.

While Lopes is already familiar with the Honda CBR1000RR-R and the PETRONAS MIE Racing garage setup, Donington Park will be a new experience for him. The 28-year-old remains optimistic about making the most of this opportunity on a world stage.

Meanwhile, veteran rider Tito Rabat will make his debut appearance with the team in Donington. The Spaniard brings with him a wealth of experience across multiple categories, including 125cc, Moto2, and MotoGP. Though he has no prior experience aboard the Honda Superbike, Rabat is eager to adapt quickly and perform well. The 2014 Moto2 World Champion last competed in WorldSBK in 2021 and will aim to bring his racecraft to the British round.

“After sitting out the Misano round, I’m definitely going into the Donington round highly motivated to do well,” Rabat said. “This will be the first time I’ll be riding the Honda Superbike and working with the team, without any preparation or test time, so it won’t be easy. But it is a great opportunity and I’ll be doing my best to make the most of it.”

Lopes also shared his anticipation ahead of the race weekend: “I don’t know the track at all, so I’ll need to work to understand it as quickly as possible. The goal is to interpret the track effectively, help the team as much as I can, and do as well as I can.”

Donington Park, inaugurated in 1931, holds the distinction of being the oldest operating circuit on the WorldSBK calendar and has been a staple of the championship since it hosted the inaugural race in 1988. Measuring 4.023 km in length, the circuit features 12 corners – seven right-handers and five left – offering a blend of tight technical sections and fast-flowing curves that promise an exciting weekend of racing.