WorldSBK rookie Yari Montella has renewed with the Barni Spark Racing Team for the 2026 season.
Barni Spark Racing promoted the Italian to the WorldSBK paddock after finishing third in the 2024 World Supersport championship.
Montella has recorded seven top ten finishes riding the Panigale in the first half of the 2025 campaign, placing him 16th overall in the championship charts.
“I want to thank Barni for this opportunity,” Montella shared to WorldSBK on his 2026 renewal.
“It is the continuation of a project we both believe in, and I’m happy we are on the same wavelength.
“I also wanted to confirm my commitment to carry forward this path we started in 2023 in WorldSSP. The idea of doing another year together in WorldSBK is something we’ve all earned.
“This year, in races, we’ve shown we can be competitive. There’s still a lot of work to do, but knowing I have a team that supports me, pushes me and believes in me is fundamental.
“I’m really very happy. Now the goal is to finish this second half of the Championship in the best possible way.”
Barni Spark Racing team principal Marco Barnabo stated that it was important to keep two riders in WorldSBK as the squad will receive the all-new Panigale V4R for the 2026 season.
“We are happy to continue the project started with Yari three seasons ago,” he stated in Barni’s official press release.
“We have believed in him since 2023 in WorldSSP and today, in his first WorldSBK season, he is showing all his potential. The results speak for themselves.
“There is plenty of room for growth and continuity is the key to further progress. Our goal remains to eld two bikes in the WorldSBK.
“With the arrival of the new Ducati Panigale, everything will change. It’s a challenging task, but we’re already working on it.
“We strongly believe in this project, which requires a great deal of resources and energy.”
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