P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Rider movement for the 2026 WorldSBK season is well underway, with eleven names already confirmed.
Rider movement for the 2026 WorldSBK season is already in progress, and a total of eleven riders have been confirmed for their respective teams.
Notably, Toprak Razgatlioglu, a two-time WorldSBK champion, has made the decision to switch to Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Following this move, Danilo Petrucci, a MotoGP and WorldSBK race winner, will join BMW as Razgatlioglu’s replacement, with his teammate yet to be determined.
Championship contender Nicolo Bulega has extended his contract with Ducati for one more year, while the team deliberates on the future of two-time series champion Alvaro Bautista.
Sam Lowes and Ryan Vickers will continue with their current teams, while two Ducati seats are available at Barni Spark Racing and Team GoEleven.
Jonathan Rea is the preferred choice for Barni to replace Petrucci, while Andrea Locatelli has already secured a two-year extension with Yamaha, with Rea’s plans still in negotiation.
GRT Yamaha will see Stefano Manzi moving up from WorldSSP to join Remy Gardner, with other teams like Honda and Petronas Honda yet to finalize their lineups for the upcoming season.
