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One thing is certain: the summer that is coming to a close has proven to be particularly incandescemt at Aruba. Between the renewal of Alvaro Bautista's contract and the future of Adrian Huertas there has certainly been no time to get bored. At the same time, now it's back to the track with a world title to chase in the face of the domination shown to date by Toprak and BMW.
We talked about this and much more with Serafino Foti, team manager of the team headed by Stefano Cecconi at the recent Magny-Cours round, which sees Superbike with one eye on the Italian round in Cremona, scheduled for next weekend.
The starting point was the contract renewal of Bautista, which kept the market in the spotlight until a few weeks ago.
"We are very happy to have Alvaro with us again in 2025," he began, "he has won two World Championships and although he is close to 40 years old, I think he is one of the most well-prepared and competitive riders on the grid. After the Most round, he performed well on the Ducati and was able to find that step he was looking for. How can you not renew a rider like him?"
Many observers question the fact that you want to renew a rider close to 40 years old, who by the way is struggling. What do you think about these opinions? Wasn't a young rider better?
"I understand what people are saying, but one thing is certain: we did not renew Bautista out of recognition, but we did it because we are convinced that he can still win a lot with this Ducati. Also, together with Nicolò, they form the strongest team in Superbike in my opinion. All of Ducati and obviously all of Aruba wanted his renewal and in the end that was the case."
I guess there is an option in the renewal, right?
"Sure, there is a contract with an option and in mid-2025. After that it will be decided what to do for 2026."
What would have been the alternative?
"The priority has always been Alvaro so we have never considered putting in place a Plan B or moving to look for alternatives."
Meanwhile, Huertas decided to accept a place in Moto2 with Italtrans...
"Huertas had a one-year contract with Aruba with an option to expire on August 30. If Adrian received a proposal from Moto2 or MotoGP, that option would have lapsed and he could decide what to do by releasing himself. As of August 30, there were no concrete options for him to remain in this paddock because the only one was the one put forward by Italtrans. However, I want to say one thing about the Huertas affair."
Sure.
"In the event Bautista decided to retire, Huertas was a serious alternative for the official team to work alongside Bulega. Throughout the month of August we talked with Adrian's manager, who had a real opportunity in his hand to go to Moto2 and I think he did well to take it. In the end all young riders dream of going to MotoGP, and at 21 he did the right thing to try. In case the adventure doesn't go as he hopes, he could always come back over here at 26."
What about Iannone? There was always talk about him...
"The priority was to talk and renew with Alvaro therefore we never considered a Plan B. Andrea might have been one of the options, but it was never evaluated because our eye was exclusively on Bautista."
Do you think he's going to Yamaha?
"I honestly don't know and I would be sorry to lose him. I think he wants to negotiate the renewal with Go Eleven and at the same time evaluate everything he has on the table. Ultimately the decision is in his hands."
Is it true that you will close down the Supersport project?
"We will have to make a decision soon and in the case we would be sorry because this project has worked, in fact we have helped to grow two young riders like Bulega and Huertas. Obviously all the mechanics and engineers involved in the project will be repositioned."
A year ago Bautista was well on his way towards the title, but today Toprak and BMW are dominating everything. Do you think this is a balanced World Championship?
"Last year everyone was complaining because it was always Bautista who won, but now Toprak always wins, so nothing has changed. What can I say: we certainly don't want to waste time crying because we never did. The only thing we are asking for is a regulation balance in order to be able to work. Ducati is doing its job like all the other manufacturers, and in 2025 we will obviously have to improve and do more."
