Álvaro Bautista is nearing the end of his contract with Aruba.it Ducati in the Superbike World Championship, at a time when he is fighting for his third consecutive title. However, as he approaches 40 years old, some doubts have arisen about what direction his future will take. According to Ducati’s general director Gigi Dall’Igna, the collaboration is set to continue if it depends on them.
The Italian engineer stated to the championship’s official website: ‘Álvaro is the double champion with us, two years in a row, and for sure he’s an important rider for us. For sure we would like to continue with him’.
Another renowned rider competing with a Ducati in WSBK this year is Andrea Iannone from Team GoEleven, who returns after a four-year suspension. Dall’Igna praised the Italian but admitted that he still needs to improve:
– Andrea hadn’t a race for four long years, so he came to the races some months ago and it’s not easy. He shows his potential sometimes, honestly. He has to improve a little bit, but I’m confident because I know him, I know his talent and I know that he can do very well.
If Bautista does not stay with Aruba.it Ducati, could Iannone replace him? Dall’Igna doesn’t want to consider that scenario, emphasizing that the Spaniard is the priority: ‘I don’t think it’s important to talk about that today, because our first choice for sure will be Álvaro’.