The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returns to Donington Park for Round 7, officially kicking off the second half of the season. The championship battle is tighter than ever with just nine points separating the top two riders. Off-track, the paddock is buzzing with contract news and speculation, as some riders have secured their futures while others—big names included—are still in limbo for 2026.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “A hat-trick here and I take the lead in the standings”
Toprak heads into Donington with high expectations—and emotions. “It feels great to be back at Donington,” he said. “It’s my favourite circuit on the calendar, but it’s also bittersweet because this will be my last race weekend here.”
Despite a rocky start to the season, the Turkish rider feels he’s now hitting his stride. “We didn’t start the year very strong, but things are improving now. I feel more relaxed knowing where I’ll be racing for the next two years, and I’m back to enjoying riding again. I know that if I can take a clean sweep here—a hat-trick—I’ll move to the top of the Championship.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “History doesn’t define the present”
Championship leader Nicolo Bulega remains confident heading into a track that hasn’t historically suited Ducati. “Honestly, the weather is surprisingly good—unusual for Britain! And while Donington hasn’t been the best for Ducati in the past, this season has been full of surprises.”
Referencing his Cremona performance, Bulega added: “Cremona wasn’t supposed to be my kind of track, but I still won all three races, got pole, and set a lap record. So I’m not thinking about limitations. I’m here to do my best like always.”
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “Donington will tell us a lot about what’s next”
Returning to his home circuit, Jonathan Rea views Donington as a major checkpoint for both his season and his future. “Last year, Donington and Estoril were probably my strongest weekends. It was a joy riding the bike then,” he recalled.
With a few rounds missed earlier in the season, Rea admits he’s still working to build momentum. “We’ve lost FP1 at the last two rounds, so it’s crucial that we hit the ground running this Friday. Everything in racing can change fast with just a small boost in confidence. It’s still too early to make decisions about the future, though—usually, those talks start around the summer break. For now, we focus on Donington, then evaluate where we are.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “My first goal is to keep racing, the second is to stay in WorldSBK”
Alvaro Bautista, another key figure without a confirmed 2026 ride, brings a mix of nostalgia and realism to Donington. “I’ve always loved this track. Back in my 125cc and 250cc days, it was my favourite. Since the resurfacing, it’s even more enjoyable.”
While he’s currently without a contract, Bautista isn’t in panic mode. “Performance speaks louder than contracts. I’m still riding well, and there are plenty of bikes available for 2026. Discussions are ongoing—not just with Ducati, where the door’s still open, but also with other manufacturers. The main challenge is finding the right way to balance the weight regulations. But as long as I can stay in WorldSBK, I’m happy.”
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team): “The podium is the target—and it’s realistic”
Fresh from a podium finish at Misano, Alex Lowes enters his home round with optimism. “It’s always special racing so close to home, and having family and friends trackside gives you an extra push,” he said.
Lowes believes the KB998 Rimini performs better in hotter conditions—which bodes well with the forecast looking sunny. “Our recent weekends have been some of our best. The project is moving in the right direction, and we’re genuinely getting stronger. I always aim for the podium, and there’s no reason we can’t fight for one this weekend.”
Scott Redding (MGM BONOVO Action): “Top 10 is the benchmark”
Back on home turf, Scott Redding is focused on steady progress. “The vibe here is always amazing, and it looks like the weather’s on our side too.”
Redding remains realistic about where the team currently stands. “Phillip Island was deceiving—it gave us a false sense of where we were. Since returning to Europe, things have been harder. I wanted to test at Portimao, but it didn’t happen, so we’ve had to do development work during race weekends, which is tough. Still, I think the top 10 is where we need to be right now. As for next year, there’s a lot up in the air. My main goal is to finish the 2025 season strong.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “Being on a factory-level bike in WorldSBK is a dream”
Danilo Petrucci, also yet to confirm his future, reflected on his hopes at Donington. “I expected cooler weather, but it’s actually hot—making it more physically demanding with all the changes of direction and hard braking.”
“I think a top-five finish is realistic this weekend. I’m still hoping to sort out my plans for 2026. I’m happy for Yari [Montella], and I’m still in discussions. Honestly, I want to ride the fastest bikes, and mine is one of the quickest out there. I’ve had the honour of being a factory rider in MotoGP, so doing the same in WorldSBK is a bit of a dream. But I know I’m a bit older now, and that might work against me.”
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “Corner speed is the next evolution for this bike”
With a contract already signed for 2026, Garrett Gerloff is looking ahead to development. “What I’d love to see from the team is a bike with more corner speed. It accelerates well, stops well—but there’s room for improvement mid-corner.”
He also expressed a desire for a teammate. “Having someone on the same bike, in the same conditions, would really help with data. Right now, comparing to last year is tricky. So many variables—weather, wind, tyres—can skew the numbers.”
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team): “This two-year deal gives me peace of mind to grow”
Sam Lowes recently secured a two-year extension with Marc VDS, and he’s relieved to have clarity. “This is my second year with the team after moving from Moto2, and I finally feel like I’m finding my feet. There’s still a lot for me to learn and improve, but I’ve definitely stepped things up from last year.”
Having never had a two-year contract before, Lowes said the stability means everything. “I’m getting closer to the end of my career, and it’s nice not having outside pressure or uncertainty. I can now focus fully on improving, race by race.”
Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing): “Let’s aim for that first top 10—and build from there”
British rider Ryan Vickers is gearing up for his first home round in the World Championship. “It’s such a special feeling calling Donington my home round. This is my rookie season in WorldSBK, and to return to the UK, see my family and race in front of them—it’s amazing.”
He has a clear goal in mind: “Let’s break into the top 10. Then, maybe we can push for more. Every round we’re getting closer, and this is the first time this year I’m racing on a track I already know well. The team is starting to understand what I need, and I’m riding better every time. That’s all I can focus on—keep moving forward.”
Official WorldSBK Press Release
