P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jonathan Rea could’ve had a future at Barni Ducati if Alvaro Bautist went elsewhere for 2026.
Marco Barnabo, the boss of Barni Racing, revealed that Jonathan Rea would have been his target for WorldSBK 2026 if Alvaro Bautista had not signed with the Italian satellite team. With the end of the WorldSBK summer break, key pieces for the 2026 season fell into place, including Bautista joining Barni Spark Ducati and Rea announcing his retirement. Rea had expressed interest in riding for Barni with its satellite Ducati Panigale V4 R. However, Barnabo clarified that Bautista, a dominant force in World Superbike with 63 wins for Ducati, was his main focus. While expressing regret over Rea’s retirement, Barnabo emphasized that securing Bautista was his top priority. Had Bautista not been available, Rea would have likely been the target, aiming for an experienced rider who could complement the team’s current roster.
