New Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna has admitted there is still a lot of work to do in order to make the 1199 Panigale into a World Superbike race-winner but says they are heading in the right direction.

Speaking at the bike's launch, the former Aprilia man said he was buoyed by the laptimes of Chaz Davies and Davide Guigliano at recent tests and that they can get the bike back to the top of the tree.

“The results of the latest tests are encouraging. Both riders were able to record important lap times but more important is the fact that their comments regarding the bike have been positive. This is a key factor, especially in view of the experience they have accumulated in recent seasons and the fact that both were riding bikes of reference until just a few months ago," said Dall'Igna.

"They are together providing us with the feedback needed in order to develop the 1199 Panigale in the best possible way. There is of course a lot of work still to do but I am confident and optimistic and believe that over the course of this coming championship we will get the bike back to where it deserves to be.”