Barni Spark Racing Reveal New Livery and Line-Up Ahead of 2026 WorldSBK Season

The Barni Spark Racing Team has officially unveiled its new livery and rider line-up for the 2026 WorldSBK season, marking a significant moment for the Calvenzano-based outfit — both competitively and historically.

The presentation took place in the striking surroundings of the Ruote da Sogno showroom, with the team revealing its new-look Ducati Panigale V4 RS26, now wearing a completely refreshed Barni livery designed by Oscar Pozzini of Babol Communication. The new design is clean, modern and unmistakably Barni, sitting perfectly on Ducati’s latest double-sided superbike platform.

Beyond the visuals, the event also confirmed a strong rider pairing for the season ahead. Álvaro Bautista joins the team for his first season with Barni Spark Racing, bringing with him multiple world championships and a wealth of experience at the very highest level of the sport. Alongside him, Yari Montella enters his second WorldSBK campaign and fourth season with the team, aiming to build on the progress made during an intensive 2025 adaptation year.

The 2026 season also coincides with a major milestone for Marco Barnabò, as he celebrates 30 years as a Team Principal. From the early days of Team Spring in 1996, through the formation of Barni Racing in 2009 and the evolution into Barni Spark Racing in 2021, the project has steadily grown into one of the strongest independent operations on the WorldSBK grid.

From a sporting perspective, there’s genuine intrigue around how competitive this package can be. The new Ducati platform, combined with Bautista’s experience and Montella’s growing confidence, gives the team a solid foundation. There’s also hope that future regulatory adjustments — particularly around weight concessions — may allow riders like Bautista to compete more freely against factory-supported rivals.

Liveries don’t win championships, but they do signal intent. And this one, combined with a proven team structure and an ambitious rider line-up, suggests Barni Spark Racing is heading into 2026 with confidence, clarity, and quiet determination.

Now, as ever, the real answers will come when the lights go out. 🏁