As the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship hurtles towards the mid-season, it’s the last chance for riders to impress and to put themselves in the shop window for 2024 before decisions are made during this summer break. One of those seats is the second Aruba.it Racing – Ducati bike, where Michael Ruben Rinaldi – the current rider – seems to be in a battle with WorldSSP Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) to be Alvaro Bautista’s WorldSBK teammate. We have the latest below. Get a full silly season update here!
RINALDI VS BULEGA: the RED-hot seat for 2024, but who is the favourite?
Speaking about the difference of the 500rpm decrease and how it impacts Ducati at Most, Rinaldi said: “We are losing compared to last year on the exit of the turns. We tried with the electronics to give more power, but there is not too much to do. So, we’ll try to understand which is the better way, but for sure on that side, we are struggling compared to last year. I don’t know what the solution can be but actually, I don’t know if I’ll be here, so it’s not my problem.”
Elaborating further about his future, the #21 stated: “I don’t know yet. I’m quiet for now and we’ll see what’s going to happen. From Ducati, there’s no rush to sign and they haven’t said to me yes or no. We are working to see what our other options can be in case they tell me ‘no’. Last year, we decided in September, which was too late, as I didn’t have another seat available. This year, I tried to find a solution before and for sure I’ll try to stay with this family. However, at this moment, I’m peaceful and I just want to ride the bike and find a good feeling with that.”
Talking in his interview yesterday, Bulega was coy on his future once more, but wasn’t stressed by it either: “Nothing; I just want to stay focused on my Championship as now, it’s the most important. The future is also important but I just want to focus on the present and let my manager and the team do their work.” Previously, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna stated that Bulega, who has taken part in various Ducati Panigale V4 R tests, was “quite fast”, whilst Stefano Cecconi, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team principal, said it “makes sense” to see Bulega in WorldSBK for 2024 and that is “regardless” of 2023’s end result in World Supersport.
RINALDI’S FUTURE: “I have something to give… if Ducati wants me, they’ll show me”
When discussing his future with a wider perspective, such as the possibility to move to MotoAmerica or elsewhere, Rinaldi shut it down, unequivocal in his desire to continue in WorldSBK: “At the moment, nobody asked me and my focus is to stay in the World Championship. I think I have something to give. I am not finishing 15th or 10th, I am always in the top five. I have something to give.”
Asked whether Rinaldi or his management were pushing Ducati to make a decision, the 26-year-old denied, and stated he only wants to ride where he’s welcome: “We’re not pushing; I want to race and ride in a team where I’m welcome and not in a team where I am not. If Ducati wants me, they will show me; if not, it’s OK and we’ll see what are the other options. Thank you.”
“HE DESERVES A CHANCE” – Rinaldi and Bautista on growing Bulega rumours
With Nicolo Bulega being one rider linked to be on Rinaldi’s bike for 2024, he gave his thoughts on that too: “I think that on Ducati’s side, it can be a move that is normal and for sure, I wouldn’t be upset. It’s normal that a young guy like Nicolo deserves a chance; I think that for him, it could be risky to go straight to a factory seat but if I was in his shoes, I’d do it because who says no to a factory team?”
Teammate Alvaro Bautista likewise shared his thoughts: “I read the rumours last week; I think Bulega is a nice rider and he’s very fast, doing well in WorldSSP. For sure, he wants to go to WorldSBK next year but I don’t know where or with which team. He deserves an opportunity to come to WorldSBK and show his potential.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com