Danilo Petrucci has officially renewed his contract with the Barni Spark Racing Team for 2025 WorldSBK, marking a continuation of his career in the prestigious motorcycle racing championship.
This decision comes after Petrucci’s impressive performances during his tenure with the team, which began in 2023.
The Italian rider made his debut in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with Barni Ducati in 2023 following a year in MotoAmerica and quickly established himself as a podium contender.
His rookie season was marked by notable achievements including three podiums, and has continued to build on that success throughout the 2024 season so far scoring three more podiums – the latest coming at Portimao last weekend – and sits sixth in the standings despite missing the Assen round with injury.
Petrucci was interested in perhaps joining the factory Ducati squad for 2025 in the event that Alvaro Bautista would not return but the two-time world champion is currently close to finalizing a new contract.
However, after declaring on Thursday that Barni Spark Racing was now his partner going forward, the team has officially confirmed a new contract for the 33-year old in what will likely be a two-rider effort for 2025 WorldSBK.
The owner of Barni Spark Racing, who has set clear objectives for the rest of the season, has not hidden the fact that extending their partnership with Petrucci is only the first step of their goals next season.
“Renewing with Danilo has always been our priority,” team owner Marco Bernabo said. “We know his worth and have great confidence in his abilities.
“I’m very happy to continue racing with him next season. Together we are on a path that has already brought us great results, like during the weekend just concluded in Portimao.
“Our goal is to win the independent team title on 2024 and 2025 and stand on the top step of the podium in a WorldSBK race.
“I would like to thank Danilo for the trust and esteem he shows towards the team, and all the sponsors who support us and wanted this renewal with us.
“Together with Spark we are working for the growth of the team: the second Panigale V4 in Superbike. This has always been our goal, and we would like to have another rider alongside Danilo.”
The former MotoGP rider, affectionately known as ‘Petrux’, also expressed his enthusiasm for remaining with the Ducati-powered squad, which has been pivotal in his racing career.
“This is the team where I was before going to MotoGP, and the one with which I returned to a world championship after Dakar and MotoAmerica,” Petrucci said.
“In short, I feel at home here, and the renewal was what I wanted. Barni, his family, and his team give everything they have to make a competitive bike.
“I’m not that young anymore, but I still feel good, and as long as I’m in shape, I have no intention of staying home. Barni and I still want to enjoy some success together, this year and next.”
Petrucci marks another rider out of the narrowing 2025 WorldSBK rider market after Puccetti announced at Portimao that it has signed Garrett Gerloff to push Kawasaki’s factory effort.
