P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nicolo Bulega says he’s not yet “happy” in “every area” of the new Ducati Panigale V4 R after day one of the final WorldSBK preseason test.
Nicolo Bulega expressed his dissatisfaction with the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R, stating that he is not completely happy with it in all aspects during the preseason testing.
The updated version of the Panigale V4 R was introduced by Ducati this season, featuring revised aerodynamics and chassis characteristics, along with a double-sided swingarm. However, due to adverse weather conditions during the January tests in Spain and Portugal, Bulega had limited opportunities to test the bike.
The final winter test is currently ongoing at Phillip Island, where dry conditions allowed for the first substantial running of the World Superbike competitors in 2026. Bulega topped the timesheets on the first day, showing promising performance alongside other riders.
Despite a positive start to the test, Bulega acknowledged that there are areas in which the new bike’s setup needs improvement, which he considers normal for a bike in its early stages of development.
While Phillip Island has been a successful track for Bulega in the past, he remains cautious about claiming a favorite status for the upcoming race weekend, emphasizing the need for further improvements to the bike’s setup.
