P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alvaro Bautista to stay on a Ducati? “The door is not closed”
Alvaro Bautista has suggested that he may not be leaving Ducati, contrary to previous indications. The Aruba.it Ducati team expressed their intention to use a contractual clause to part ways with Bautista at the end of the current season. However, there is a possibility that his future in the World Superbike Championship could still be with Ducati. Bautista mentioned the challenges of discussing his plans for 2026 in August but remains hopeful for an early resolution. Despite uncertainties, he emphasized that Ducati has not definitively stated they do not want him, leaving the door open for potential developments in his racing career.
In parallel news within the Ducati racing family, Nicolo Bulega has extended his contract with Aruba.it Ducati for the upcoming season, while rumors suggest other Ducati riders such as Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Iannone might explore alternative options. At 40 years old, Bautista, a two-time WorldSBK champion, is considering various possibilities for his next career move, including the potential role of a test rider for a MotoGP manufacturer. Following a mixed performance at the Hungarian WorldSBK, where he secured a podium finish but also experienced a crash, Bautista remains upbeat despite the challenges he faces in the competition.
