Franco Morbidelli Joins Aruba.it Racing Ducati for 2027 WorldSBK Season

October 5, 2026: Franco Morbidelli will make the switch from MotoGP to the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2027 after signing with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, where he will race alongside Iker Lecuona on the factory Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Morbidelli will take over the factory Ducati Panigale V4 R currently raced by newly crowned World Superbike Champion Nicolò Bulega. The move marks a new chapter in the career of the 31-year-old Italian, who has spent 14 seasons competing in the MotoGP paddock.

Morbidelli was born in Rome on 4 December 1994 and developed his racing career through the VR46 Riders Academy. He made his mark in the Superbike paddock itself in 2013 by winning the European Superstock 600 Championship.

The Italian subsequently progressed through the Grand Prix ranks and won the 2017 Moto2 World Championship, becoming the first Italian rider to claim the title in the category.

Morbidelli stepped up to MotoGP in 2018 with Honda and immediately made an impact, winning the MotoGP Rookie of the Year award. He switched to Yamaha in 2019 and enjoyed the most successful period of his premier-class career, taking three MotoGP victories and finishing runner-up in the 2020 World Championship.

In 2024, Morbidelli moved to Ducati with Prima Pramac Racing before joining the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025. He has continued to race Ducati’s Desmosedici GP in MotoGP.

Across his 14 seasons in the MotoGP paddock, Morbidelli has contested 228 races in Moto2 and MotoGP, recording 11 victories, 29 podium finishes and eight pole positions.

His move to WorldSBK will therefore see him return to the production-based racing environment where his international career began, while also remaining within the Ducati family.

Aruba.it Racing Ducati Welcomes Morbidelli

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team Principal Stefano Cecconi believes Morbidelli’s MotoGP experience will be particularly valuable as the team prepares for a significant 2027 season.

“We welcome Franco with great enthusiasm, certain that he will be able to give us much satisfaction,” said Cecconi.

“The 2027 season will bring several new developments and will be an important challenge for both the rider and the team, but setting ambitious goals is part of our DNA.”

Cecconi also highlighted Morbidelli’s experience with MotoGP machinery and his familiarity with Ducati, particularly with major technical changes coming to WorldSBK in 2027.

“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,” he added.

The fact that Morbidelli will remain on Ducati machinery is another factor expected to ease his transition between categories.

“Although he is changing category, he will remain on a Ducati, which will guarantee continuity in his working method and technical approach,” said Cecconi.

Ducati Corse Sees Valuable MotoGP Experience

Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna also welcomed Morbidelli to the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati WorldSBK project, highlighting his speed, technical understanding and adaptability.

“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,” said Dall’Igna.

“After many years spent in MotoGP, he will bring to our Superbike project an extremely valuable wealth of experience.”

Dall’Igna believes Morbidelli’s knowledge of Ducati’s working methods will be particularly important as the manufacturer faces new technical challenges in the 2027 WorldSBK season.

The Italian manufacturer has established Aruba.it Racing – Ducati as one of the leading teams in WorldSBK, and Morbidelli’s arrival comes immediately after Bulega secured the riders’ championship.

Morbidelli Excited About New WorldSBK Challenge

Morbidelli said he was excited about beginning a new chapter of his career with Ducati and Aruba.it Racing.

“I am very happy and excited about this new chapter in my career. I thank Ducati and Aruba for this opportunity,” said Morbidelli.

“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 now prepare for his first season in WorldSBK, where he will be partnered by Iker Lecuona in the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati line-up.

His arrival adds further experience to the Ducati WorldSBK project and sets up an intriguing 2027 season, with the former Moto2 World Champion looking to translate his Grand Prix experience into success on the Panigale V4 R.