Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Unveil Panigale V4 R for 2026 WorldSBK Season at Aruba Auditorium

Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona presented with Ducati’s Centenary-inspired Panigale V4 R as Aruba and Ducati mark 12 years of partnership.

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The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team officially launched its 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign with the unveiling of the new Ducati Panigale V4 R, revealed during a prestigious evening event at the Aruba Auditorium. The presentation marked the twelfth consecutive season of partnership between Aruba and Ducati, reaffirming a long-standing alliance built on racing excellence, technological innovation, and a shared long-term vision.

More than 200 guests, including institutional representatives and key figures from the motorsport world, attended the exclusive unveiling. The event was hosted by Sky Sport MotoGP presenters Vera Spadini and Rosario Triolo and featured the first public appearance of the 2026 Panigale V4 R machines that will be raced by Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona in this year’s WorldSBK campaign.

Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba and Team Principal of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, opened the evening by reflecting on the team’s 2025 WorldSBK and MotoE seasons before welcoming Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali to the stage. Domenicali highlighted the special significance of the upcoming season, which coincides with Ducati’s Centenary year, before unveiling the new Panigale V4 R in its striking Rosso Centenario livery.

Designed to celebrate 100 years of Ducati history, the 2026 Panigale V4 R features a matte Rosso Centenario finish complemented by a distinctive double white stripe. The colour pays tribute to iconic Ducati machines such as the 1949 Ducati 60 and the 1955 Gran Sport Marianna, symbolising the brand’s deep racing heritage and its evolution from early production motorcycles to world-class racing machinery.

Domenicali also underlined the strategic importance of the Superbike project for Ducati, describing the Panigale V4 R as a direct result of continuous development and knowledge transfer between MotoGP and WorldSBK. Technologies such as the Ducati Vehicle Observer, Corner Sidepods, updated electronic strategies and the Ducati Racing Gearbox reflect this close technical synergy.

The evening continued with insights from key figures within Ducati Corse. Team Manager Serafino Foti discussed the challenges faced during pre-season testing in Jerez and Portimão due to adverse weather, while Ducati Corse Sporting Director Mauro Grassilli emphasised the equal commitment invested in both MotoGP and Superbike programmes. SBK Project Manager Marco Zambenedetti detailed the development process behind the 2026 Panigale V4 R, highlighting how experience gained in MotoGP continues to shape Ducati’s production-based racing machines.

Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, sent a video message from Malaysia, where the Ducati Lenovo MotoGP team was testing, expressing confidence in the team’s potential and stressing the importance of consistent progress throughout the season in the pursuit of championship success.

The highlight of the night came with the official unveiling of the race bikes assigned to Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona. Both riders later engaged with guests for autograph sessions, photographs and media interactions, signalling the start of a new chapter for the team as it targets further WorldSBK success.

Reflecting on the season ahead, Stefano Cecconi expressed confidence in both the team and its riders despite limited pre-season track time, stating that expectations are higher than ever and that the motivation to convert hard work into results remains strong.

Claudio Domenicali described WorldSBK as a cornerstone of Ducati’s racing identity, noting the brand’s record-breaking success in the championship and the importance of Aruba’s continued support in achieving those results. He emphasised that the Centenary season represents not only a celebration of history, but also a renewed ambition to remain at the forefront of production-based racing.

Luigi Dall’Igna reinforced the team’s objective of fighting for the Riders’ World Championship, expressing full confidence in Nicolò Bulega’s title potential and welcoming Iker Lecuona as a key addition to the Ducati family.

Bulega shared his excitement at the start of the new season, highlighting his motivation after narrowly missing the title previously, while Lecuona described his move to Aruba.it Racing – Ducati as the biggest opportunity of his career, with a clear goal of competing for championship honours.

Blending sporting passion with technological excellence, the launch event delivered a clear message for 2026: from the racetrack to the data centre and beyond, Aruba and Ducati continue to push boundaries together, united by performance, innovation and the pursuit of victory.