Could a switch to Ducati be exactly what Jonathan Rea needs to revitalise his career?
Jonathan Rea’s future with Yamaha appears to be over as it looks ever more likely that the Japanese manufacturer will not retain him after his two-year deal expires at the end of 2025.
The six-time World Superbike Champion joined Yamaha at the start of the 2024 season, after nine years with rival manufacturer, Kawasaki. During his time in green, Rea won all of his World Championships and won 104 World Superbike races.
The decision to move to Yamaha immediately got off to a rocky start, as in 2024, Rea only claimed one podium finish at Donington Park and one pole position at Assen. He also went on to end the year in 13th place in the standings, the worst position he had secured in the series.
After a difficult debut season in blue, 2025 was meant to be a better year for the Northern Irishman after he had a positive pre-season. In the off-season, Rea had changed crew chief from Andrew Pitt to his longtime mechanic Uri Pallares.
However, this would have no impact on the start of his season after he sustained multiple fractures in his right foot after crashing in pre-season at Phillip Island.
Rea would miss the first three rounds of the season, during which time his teammate, Andrea Locatelli, would win a race and claim two further podiums.
On his return to action at the Italian World Superbike Round at Cremona, Rea would fail to score any points. However, a round later in the Czech Republic, he finished 10th, 10th and 13th and secured nine points.
Despite his injury issues, it appears that Yamaha is ready to move on from the 38-year-old in favour of younger talent.
What are Jonathan Rea’s options for 2026?
According to reports from the Italian publication GPOne, Rea wants to remain in the World Superbike Championship next season.
They have also reported that ‘Johnny is looking around’ at his options for next season, with one potential option putting him on a Ducati Panigale V4 R.
The same report stated that there is a real possibility that the Team Pata GoEleven squad and Andrea Iannone could ‘terminate their collaboration at the end of the year’.
During the Czech Republic World Superbike Round, it had also been suggested that Rea had been looking for a ride in the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team for 2026.
In recent years, Ducati has been the bike to be on in World Superbikes, and a switch to the Italian manufacturer could be what Rea needs to revitalise his career.
