Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will remain on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid in 2025. The British rider made his debut this year and has shown good pace although it’s been mixed in with disappointing results at times as he adapted to the Ducati Panigale V4 R, some new circuits and Pirelli tyres. The #14 has secured his future in WorldSBK for next year, extending his stay with a team he’s enjoyed so much success at in Moto2™.
SEASON SUMMED UP: a rollercoaster campaign
Lowes’ best result in 2024 so far was a P6 in Race 2 at Assen, although he took a front-row grid slot and led in Barcelona. He’s taken five top-eight finishes in his rookie season, but he’s found results harder to come by in recent rounds. Crashes and an ultra-competitive field mean he’s struggled to break into the top ten, with his last top-ten finish coming in the Tissot Superpole Race at Donington Park.
BEFORE WORLD SUPERBIKE: success in Moto2™, WorldSSP and in British Supersport
Prior to his team in WorldSBK, Lowes competed in 155 Moto2™ races, including four seasons with the Marc VDS squad from 2020. He finished third in the standings in his first season with the team, before backing that up with fourth the season after. Two trickier seasons followed but the team remained committed to Lowes for 2024, making the switch to WorldSBK with the Ducati Panigale V4 R. He also had a season in MotoGP™, taking part in 18 races and scoring five points.
The 34-year-old is already a World Champion after he claimed the 2013 WorldSSP title before he made his switch to the MotoGP™ paddock. He won six races that season with a total of 11 podiums in his first season with Yamaha in the Championship. He’d previously spent two full-time seasons on Honda machinery, the same brand he claimed the 2010 British Supersport title on with five wins and 10 podiums.
AIMING TO CONTINUE SUCCESS: a big 2025 to come?
For 2025, with a year of learning under his and the team’s belts, and not having to learn the bike or tyres, Lowes will hope he can become a regular top-ten finisher or fight for podiums in his second season as he looks for success with the Independent Ducati team. It would continue their success as a partnership, having taken multiple wins in Moto2™ and fought for the title.
LOWES HOPING TO END 2024 ON A HIGH: “I’m looking forward to getting some strong results in the final part of the season”
On renewing his partnership with the team, Lowes said: “I’m very happy and proud to be continuing for one more year in WorldSBK with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team. The goal for me and the team was always a minimum two-year plan due to the massive difference between Moto2™ and WorldSBK. The last races have been complicated after my shoulder injury, but the first rounds were really enjoyable as we made good progress, so I am looking forward to getting some strong results in the final part of the season.
“We will focus a lot over the next races to make some steps forward, so we can start the 2025 season at a much higher level. I am enjoying the challenge of racing in WorldSBK. I am enjoying the bike, and the technical differences compared to Moto2™, so let’s first enjoy the end of the 2024 season before focusing on future challenges. I have to say a big thanks once again to Marc van der Straten and everybody connected to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for their trust and support.”
VAN DER STRATEN SAYS: “I am convinced that next year his name and Elf Marc VDS Racing will shine at the top of the Championship”
Team Owner Marc van der Straten added: “Sam’s dedication and determination to improve day by day and earn himself a place among the fastest in WorldSBK has been admirable. New beginnings are always complicated, as it’s not easy to adapt and move forward every day. That’s why I’m proud to continue with Sam for the 2025 season. I am convinced that next year his name and Elf Marc VDS Racing will shine at the top of the Championship standings.”
Source: WorldSBK.com