According to reports, Ducati and Alvaro Bautista are expected to part ways after the conclusion of the 2025 WorldSBK season.
The two-time WorldSBK champion signed a one-year contract extension in 2024, with an option for a second year. However, a clause in the agreement allows either party to cancel the second year if a decision is made before July 2025.
SpeedWeek reports that the Aruba.it Ducati outfit have exercised the option to not renew for a second year and have communicated this to the Spaniard.
No decision has been made regarding a replacement, with Ducati expected to announce in the coming months who will join championship leader Nicolo Bulega in 2026.
The 40-year-old has made it clear he wants to continue racing for Ducati and ride the new-spec Panigale V4, but no satellite Ducati line-up has been announced for him or any other riders bar Ryan Vickers.
The vast majority of Bautista’s WorldSBK success came while racing in Bologna colours, winning two WorldSBK titles in 2022 and 2023, along with 63 victories – placing him joint-second on the all-time wins list.
Although his future remains uncertain, only five current riders on the WorldSBK grid have secured their places beyond the 2025 season as the transfer market heats up.
The vast majority of satellite Ducati teams, along with Honda, Yamaha, and now BMW, have positions available for the Spaniard.
BMW, in particular, recently lost Toprak Razgatlioglu, who confirmed his switch to MotoGP with Pramac Yamaha earlier this week.
READ MORE – Nicolo Bulega agrees Ducati WorldSBK contract extension with MotoGP test role
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