Bautista Uncertain About Future, Says Ducati Hasn’t Approached Him
The 2024 World Superbike (WorldSBK) season has been challenging for Álvaro Bautista, who faces uncertainty about both his performance and his future at Ducati. After undisputed dominance in 2023, Bautista is struggling to find consistency this season, a problem that was evident last weekend at Misano, where Toprak Razgatlioglu won all three races with BMW, and his team-mate Nicolo Bulega, too. passed it.
Bautista revealed that so far Ducati has not made any concrete approach for his continuation in the team for the next season. “At the moment I don’t have any deadline to determine my future,” said Bautista. “There are a few questions in my mind and the main one is why I don’t have the same confidence I had last year and what do I need to improve?”
Despite the fact that Gigi Dall’Igna, general manager of Ducati Corse, was present in Misano, Bautista stated that this did not affect the current situation. “I talk to Gigi all the time, after every test and race. We’re always in touch, not just when he comes to the races. He knows what I need and what I’m looking for. The fact that he’s here doesn’t do it. you don’t change anything about the information,” explained the Spanish pilot.
Bautista’s performance at Misano highlighted the lack of confidence and consistency that has marked his season so far. “This weekend was important because we came from strange weekends like in Australia, Barcelona is a complicated track and Assen with mixed conditions. This weekend was a more normal situation. It was important to come back. I didn’t turn it back. I’m sorry that we are working,” commented Bautista.
Although he is close to Razgatlioglu and Bulega in the championship, the possibility of not winning a third consecutive title is real, something that has prompted Bautista to seek immediate improvements, rather than securing a new contract. “I’d like to have something new now that I’m racing; next year is too far away for me. Who knows what could happen?” he said, referring to possible improvements to the bike.
Bautista is focused on restoring confidence in the Panigale V4 R, stressing that this is his priority at the moment. “I’m more concerned about regaining my confidence on the bike than deciding my future,” he said. He also mentioned that Ducati or Aruba have not yet asked him about his future plans. “Maybe this month, before Donington, we’ll talk or not.”
In short, Álvaro Bautista faces a period of uncertainty and introspection, looking to regain lost confidence and awaiting a possible dialogue with Ducati about his future with the team. His determination to overcome current difficulties highlights his dedication to the sport and his desire to remain competitive.
