Iker Lecuona has criticised WorldSBK for its “not fair” rule changes that are set to penalise Ducati for its 2026 dominance.
Ducati is on course to win every single race in a season for the second time in its WorldSBK history after unprecedented dominance from champion Nicolo Bulega.
WorldSBK announced its rule changes for the 2027 season, with the biggest change seeing Michelin join the championship as its tyre manufacturer as Pirelli exits – while other changes to RPM, fuel flow and the introduction of concessions rankings will also come into play.
Part of the change is to bring the field closer together after world champion Bulega and Lecuona have picked up every win of 2026 so far between them.
Lecuona, who is staying in WorldSBK with the factory Ducati team, feels the changes are being made to penalise Ducati for its progress rather than to help the other manufacturers that have fallen behind.
“I think that the rules [changing], they do it for Ducati in that case,” Lecuona told media including Motorsport Week in Jerez.
“It is not the way for the championship because it’s not fair to cut the wins on a factory that is doing his job and help the other factory that didn’t do nothing.”
“It’s clear that it’s not fair to do it that way. For me, it’s fair if you give more help to the other factories to do it more – like OK you have more testing days, or you have more helping or more open windows to change the bike and to develop the bike.
“But for me it’s not fair what they do for next year.”
Despite his belief that Ducati still have margin for improvement, the 26-year-old Spaniard admitted manner of the rule changes saddened him.
Lecuona also criticised the other manufacturers in the championship that have pushed for the rule changes, saying “it’s not [Ducati’s] fault” for their respective shortcomings.
“I tell you that of course if now the bike can go a half second faster every lap, [it’s] easy for the way that we are working. I think we have a lot of margin to go faster next year, it’s a lot,” the Valencian rider added.
“So it’s drastic, but it’s a reality and I think it’s not fair. Honestly, I understand the championship but I feel sad to do it like that.
“I think it’s more fair to give the chance to the factories to improve and not cut the wins to the factories that are doing his job.
“Ducati did his job, Bimota did his job. Everyone, he did his job and BMW make a new bike for next year.
“If the other brands that is talking a lot, they don’t do nothing and have the same bike for 18 years, it’s not our fault. Let’s see because next year will be at least interesting.”
Discussion about this post