Not signed at the end of this season, Jonathan Leah says he has a “option” for the 2026 World SBK season.
The six-time World Superbike Champion has been strongly linked to Ducati’s moves throughout 2025 as Yamaha’s career continues to struggle to deliver results that meet riders with 119 race wins.
Asked about social media comments by Worldsbk.com, he strengthened the position he took when asked about his future in recent weeks, saying he should move to the Ducati team in 2026.
“I’m seeing the same thing,” Jonathan Lea said Thursday at the Balaton Park Circuit.
“I’m not stupid. I’m on social media and Instagram. This is a platform where everyone can speak their opinions.
“Let’s wait and see. Focus on the weekends and try to do a really good job. I’m sure I understand more during the summer holidays.”
Later, Leah was asked if he could make a decision in 2026 during the summer holidays.
“Or later,” he said.
“I have a few options, but it takes the right thing for me to understand what’s best for me.”
“Excitement” for Balaton
This weekend marks the eighth round of the 2025 season and the first week in the series’ history to be held at Balaton Park.
A world-renowned superbike veteran for over 15 years, Rea praises the novelty of the new venue.
“I was excited to start,” he said. “It’s always good to come to a new place and learn in a new place to understand the circuit, experience a new environment, new fans, new fans, and new fans. That’s good for me, good for superbikes.
Regarding the circuit itself, REA, which was not present in the Balaton test at the end of June, said it cannot assess the competitiveness of the YZF-R1 in the circuit until the lap is completed on Friday.
“We have to wait,” he said.
“We’re optimistic. Of course we have to be optimistic from the weekend.”
He added that Yamaha can rely on MotoGP test data on the circuit to gain some basic understanding, despite not going to Balaton on production bikes in June. What’s more, he’s starting with his Donington setup after a positive weekend in the UK.
“The Yamaha MotoGP team was testing it here, so there are some ideas about speed,” he explained.
“It’s all new. I’m going to take the setup from Donington. The bike feels so good when I arrive at Donington, so I hope it works.”
Finally, Rea talked about Sunday’s Super Pole Race. This marks the 1,000th race in WorldSBK history.
“I’m proud to be part of that milestone on the superbike,” said the Northern Ireland rider.
“Superbikes are my life! It gave me an incredible life.
“I really feel part of this family and I’m happy to be able to celebrate the milestone with everyone here.”