The Aruba.it Racing Ducati World Superbike team revealed their 2024 livery at the Campioni in Pista event in Madonna di Campiglio.
Aruba.it Racing have revealed their Ducati Paningale V4 R in preparation for the 2024 WorldSBK campaign, as Alvaro Bautista aims for a third consecutive championship victory alongside his new teammate Nicolo Bulega.
The factory squad is back with a largely unchanged livery for 2024 as it enters its ninth season with telecommunications company Aruba.it remaining as their official title sponsor.
The team unveiled a fresh look alongside their MotoGP counterparts, including their unique twist of the ‘fluorescent graphic detail that recalls the curve in the Ducati logo’ featured on the Paningale V4 R.
The Italian team easily won its third consecutive championship in 2023 thanks to Alvaro Bautista’s incredible season, which saw him win 27 of the 36 races.
Bautista is back for a third season with Ducati and is aiming for a third straight championship victory after dominating the 2023 season almost entirely. The Spaniard finished the previous season with 40 podium finishes and just three DNFs, after having won 27 of the 36 races that were scheduled.
“It is a big satisfaction to be back in a beautiful place like Madonna di Campiglio to present the bikes with which we will face a 2024 championship that will be extremely challenging, with so many changes both in terms of technical regulations and in terms of competitors,” Bautista said.
“We will immediately have to work hard to adapt to the new rules, but I believe that in any case, it will be a very enjoyable season.
“The goal is to reach our maximum potential as soon as possible so that we can then have fun in every round.
“There will also be changes in the garage with a new team-mate: Nicolò is young, strong, and has already proven to be fast.
“I would also like to welcome the new sponsors who will accompany me aboard a really beautiful bike.
“The hope is that we can all do a great job together and for that, I want to wish the guys in my team the best of luck.”
Nicolo Bulega will be making his WorldSBK debut after delivering an equally impressive run in the WorldSSP. The Italian finished the season 95 points ahead of Stefano Manzi with 16 wins on the Panigale V2.
“I am very happy to have had the privilege of taking part in this ceremony,” Bulega said. “I remember very well when as a child I used to follow the Ducati team presentation in Madonna di Campiglio: being now among the protagonists of this event fills me with pride.
“I thank the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team for believing in me and giving me the chance to ride this Panigale V4R that I find beautiful.
“Let me make a joke: usually when a bike is beautiful it must also go fast. That’s why we have high expectations for this season. I’m sure we can do well.
“The package we have is excellent, I’m very excited and I’ll try to give my best right from the start.”
Bulega and Bautista are scheduled to return to action later this week for the Jerez Test (February 24–25) and later the Portimao Test (January 29–30).
Phillip Island will host the third and final pre-season test on February 19–20 as the Australian circuit will also host the 2024 WorldSBK season opener from February 23–25.
