Suzuka 8 Hours: Ducati dreams of a factory team with MotoGP and SBK riders

In both MotoGP and World Superbike, Ducati is dictating the pace and, by winning the title in both the prototype and production-derived championships for two consecutive years, it has celebrated two perfect seasons. The Japanese manufacturers, once so dominant, no longer have many areas in which they are superior to Ducati.

Endurance is one of the areas in which Ducati has not yet reached the competitiveness of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and even Kawasaki. These, in fact, have signed the victories in the world endurance championship in recent years, as well as the iconic race in Suzuka. However, Ducati has never been represented by a factory team.

This, however, could change in the future. We spoke exclusively with Ducati technical coordinator Marco Zambenedetti about a possible project for the Suzuka 8 Hours. What gives motivation is trying to beat the Japanese brands on their home track, thus demonstrating the competitiveness and reliability of the Panigale V4R.

Will there be a Ducati factory project at Suzuka next year?

“Why not?” observes Zambenedetti when we ask him if in the future there will be a factory Ducati operation in the iconic 8 Hours in Japan. In the past, Bologna superbikes didn’t have the best reputation for durability.

However, the transition from the V2 to the V4 engine changed the conditions. Because making a V2-Superbike durable for long distances comes with a construction disadvantage. Engine loads and strong vibrations compared to smoother four-cylinder engines cannot be compensated for even with cutting-edge technologies.

Ducati wants to demonstrate how reliable the Panigale V4R is

The Panigale V4, used in the Superbike World Championship since 2019, has an excellent reputation in terms of reliability, so much so that it has become a point of reference. The model has already been used in the world endurance championship in recent years and has achieved some noteworthy results.

“Opinions on the durability of our bikes have changed in recent years,” notes Marco Zambenedetti. “Endurance sport is one of the best ways to demonstrate this. We have worked very intensively on our models in recent years, working on materials and technologies. We have the performance. Now we are gaining some experience in Japan”, alludes to the missions of Yukio Kagayama in the Japanese championship and at Suzuka, adding: “We are pursuing the goal of competing in Suzuki too.”

Ducati wants to go to Suzuka with Bagnaia and other top MotoGP players

In the past, you always saw big stars from MotoGP and World Superbike at Suzuka. Valentino Rossi’s appearances for Honda are legendary. But even stars of series derivatives such as Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes, Michael van der Mark or Iker Lecuona have enjoyed success in the recent past.

Ducati has an extremely important source of riders. Reigning MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia and his brand teammates train regularly with the Panigale. This year the date is unfavorable, because it coincides with the Most round of the Superbike World Championship. However, if Suzuka does not take place alongside MotoGP or Superbike next year, then we could see a Ducati dream team featuring riders from the prototype and production-derived championships.

Marco Zambenedetti loves this idea. “I have no influence on this. Yet one of my dreams is to see this scenario. And it’s not just for me.” The Technical Director suggests a fundamental interest in Ducati Corse. Because defeating the Japanese on their own soil would be a massive success for the Italian manufacturer.

Johann Zarco has already confirmed his presence in the Suzuka 8 Hours, which he will contest on board the Honda. The Tokyo manufacturer already boasts other names who have taken part in the historic Japanese endurance race: in the last two years Iker Lecuona (2022) and Xavi Vierge (2023) have participated.