Franco Morbidelli will make the switch from MotoGP to the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2027, joining the Aruba.it Racing Ducati factory team alongside Iker Lecuona. The move will see Morbidelli take over the Ducati Panigale V4 R from Nicolò Bulega, who will move to MotoGP.

For Morbidelli, the switch represents a return to the paddock where he first established himself on the international stage. The Italian won the European Superstock 600 Championship in 2013 before progressing through the Grand Prix ranks, ultimately becoming Moto2 World Champion in 2017.

From Superstock to MotoGP

Born in Rome on December 4, 1994, Morbidelli developed through the VR46 Riders Academy and made his mark in the Superbike paddock by winning the European Superstock 600 title in 2013. He progressed into Moto2 and produced a championship-winning campaign in 2017, being the first Italian rider to claim the Moto2 World Championship. Morbidelli stepped up to MotoGP in 2018 with Honda and was crowned Rookie of the Year during his debut season. He switched to Yamaha in 2019 and claimed three MotoGP victories, finishing runner-up in the 2020 World Championship.

The Italian joined Ducati in 2024 with Prima Pramac Racing before moving to the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team for 2025, where he has continued to compete aboard Ducati’s Desmosedici GP. Across 14 seasons in the MotoGP paddock, Morbidelli has contested 228 races, recording 11 victories, 29 podiums and eight pole positions.

Ducati Continuity

Although Morbidelli is moving between championships, the switch will allow him to remain within the Ducati family, something Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team Principal Stefano Cecconi believes will be important as the team prepares for a new technical era in 2027. “We welcome Franco with great enthusiasm, certain that he will be able to give us much satisfaction,” Cecconi said.

The 2027 WorldSBK season will bring several changes, including the arrival of new tyres, with Cecconi highlighting Morbidelli’s experience as an important asset for the team. “Franco brings with him highly valuable experience, gained over many years in MotoGP with top teams: an important factor also in view of the arrival of the new tyres, which he knows very well and on which he will be able to provide us with precious feedback.”

Cecconi also pointed to the benefit of Morbidelli remaining with Ducati, allowing the rider to maintain familiarity with the manufacturer’s working methods and technical approach despite changing categories.

A New Chapter for Morbidelli

Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna said Morbidelli’s experience, technical sensitivity and adaptability would provide valuable qualities for the WorldSBK project. “Franco is a very talented rider who, throughout his career, has shown speed, technical sensitivity and the ability to adapt at the highest levels of world motorcycle racing.”

Dall’Igna added that Morbidelli’s existing knowledge of the Ducati environment would be particularly important as the WorldSBK project enters a period of technical change. The move also gives Morbidelli the opportunity to remain on Ducati machinery after several seasons in MotoGP, although the Panigale V4 R will provide a very different challenge from the Desmosedici GP prototype he has raced in recent years.

Partnering Lecuona

Morbidelli will line up alongside Iker Lecuona in 2027, creating a new rider pairing for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati following Bulega’s departure. Lecuona has already demonstrated potential on the Panigale V4 R, while his 2027 teammate will bring over a decade of experience racing at the highest levels of international motorcycle competition. The team will therefore enter the new season with a combination of established WorldSBK experience and a rider arriving from MotoGP, with both Ducati riders facing the challenge of adapting to the championship’s new technical environment.

Morbidelli Ready for the Challenge

For Morbidelli, the move represents a fresh chapter after years competing in the premier Grand Prix class. “I am very happy and excited about this new chapter in my career. I thank Ducati and Aruba for this opportunity,” Morbidelli said. “As always, I will do my best to live up to a team that has fought at the top for years and has just won the Superbike World Championship. I will do the best job possible to achieve great results together.”

Morbidelli will therefore arrive in WorldSBK with the backing of the reigning championship-winning manufacturer and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati factory operation, while inheriting the Panigale V4 R that has just carried Bulega to the 2026 WorldSBK crown.

With Bulega heading to MotoGP and Morbidelli moving in the opposite direction, the 2027 season will see the two Italian riders effectively exchange places within Ducati’s world championship racing structure.

Nicolo Bulega will move to MotoGP and Morbidelli will take his seat on the factory Panigale.

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