P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alvaro Bautista says WorldSBK’s minimum weight rule is preventing three-way victory battles in 2025.
Alvaro Bautista believes that the WorldSBK could witness three-way victory battles in 2025 if the combined minimum weight rule is abolished. This rule was implemented in response to Bautista’s dominant performance in the 2023 season, where he won 27 out of 36 races. Despite the rule, Bautista has faced challenges and has voiced his opposition, referring to it as “discrimination.” He has highlighted that without this rule, there could be more competitive races with three riders vying for victory. Bautista attributes his past success not to his weight but to his late-race pace on worn tires, expressing concerns about the rule’s impact on individual riders rather than on bike performance. He emphasizes the importance of tire strategy in achieving competitive performance, as showcased in his races at Donington. Bautista’s tactical approach underscores the complexity of balancing bike setup and tire choice for optimal performance throughout the race.
