Nicolo Brega thinks it is too soon to make any definitive judgments about the new WorldSBK Ducati Panigale V4 R because there was little dry running during pre-season testing. He topped the timesheets on the final day at both the Portimao and Jerez tests, even though the weather severely limited dry track time, with rain dominating the second day in Portimao.
Brega describes the new machine as “incredible” but remains cautious about whether it represents a genuine improvement over the previous model, which secured 20 World Superbike wins across the last two seasons. Speaking at the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team launch on February 3, he said, “This new Ducati Panigale V4 R is fantastic. We can make progress, but it’s too early to tell for sure since the weather during winter testing wasn’t favorable. We aim to improve this year.”
He also expressed optimism about continuing his strong form from last year at Phillip Island, where he notched his first World Superbike victory in 2024 and achieved a remarkable triple win in 2025. “Phillip Island is my favorite track, and I hope to match or exceed my speed from last year,” Brega added. Despite a challenging winter testing period marked by bad weather, he feels prepared for the season opener in Australia.
Regarding his chances for the 2026 championship, Brega admitted he isn’t sure if he is the favorite. “We’ve been title contenders for two years, and we hope 2026 will be another strong year. I don’t want to focus on favorites because every year brings new competitors and different challenges. My goal is to stay focused and aim for speed in every race.”
Fan Take: This update is crucial for WorldSBK enthusiasts as it highlights how unpredictable weather conditions can delay early development insights for teams and riders. Brega’s cautious optimism and emphasis on steady progress underscore the fierce competition expected in the upcoming season, promising thrilling races ahead.
