Ducati and Shell Lubricants extend global technical partnership

Ducati, an Italian motorcycle manufacturer known for producing high-performance motorcycles, and Shell Lubricants have renewed their global technical partnership for another three years, focusing on the development of high-performance engine lubricants to enhance the performance of Ducati motorcycles.

Ducati is renowned for its engineering excellence, cutting-edge technology, and distinctive design. The brand is associated with racing success and has a strong presence in various motorcycle racing categories, including MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship. Ducati’s product range includes sportbikes, naked bikes, adventure-touring models, and more. The company is headquartered in Bologna, Italy, and is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group through its Audi division.

Ducati’s primary production base is located in Bologna, Italy, where the company’s headquarters are also situated. This facility is responsible for the production of the majority of Ducati’s motorcycle models. Additionally, Ducati has a manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, which primarily serves the Asian market and helps to meet global demand.

Shell Lubricants, the global lubricants market leader, will continue to supply engine oils for the first refuelling of Ducati motorcycles produced in Bologna, Italy, and Rayong, Thailand, as well as for the Ducati dealer network in various countries, including in Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Benelux , Spain, Portugal, United States, Canada, China, Japan and Australia.

The partnership includes the supply of Shell Advance Ducati engine oil and Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance, launched in 2023. The collaboration has led to the development of lubricants like Ducati Corse Performance Oil, which can be used in engines like the Desmosedici Stradale and Desmosedici Stradale R, offering gains of up to 3.5 horsepower.

Francesco Milicia, VP of Sales and After Sales at Ducati, highlights the transfer of knowledge from racing to production motorcycles. The partnership, which began in 1999, has seen Shell alongside Ducati Corse in the Superbike World Championship and later in the MotoGP World Championship, with Shell providing special formulations for Ducati’s racing teams.

“The renewal of the agreement allows us to continue working together on increasingly high-performance products, with the aim of enhancing the performance of our motorcycles, as recently happened with the Ducati Corse Performance Oil Powered by Shell Advance,” says Milicia.

“The extension of our collaboration is testament to the strength of our 25-year relationship with Ducati, and will see us continuing to take the learnings and innovations from the racetrack to deliver better road-going products for the benefit of Ducati and Shell customers around the world,” says Aysun Akik, vice president, New Business Development and Global Key Accounts at Shell Lubricants.