- Expected to have retro-inspired design
- Engine from the Scrambler 803 range
- Could be showcased by end of 2026
In 1975, Franco Uncini rode the iconic Ducati 750 Supersport Desmo to the Italian Championship, cementing Ducati’s reputation for V-twin performance with a genuine racing pedigree. It was the moment Ducati stopped being niche and started becoming influential.
More than 50 years later, that same spirit appears to be resurfacing, this time via paperwork rather than a racetrack. Newly published documents from the California Air Resources Board have revealed the existence of a 2026 Ducati Formula ’73. On paper, it’s listed with an 803cc V-twin, the same engine used in the current Scrambler range, suggesting familiar mechanical foundations.
But the name itself is the real story. Formula ’73 doesn’t point to outright performance or lap-time obsession. Instead, it reads like a deliberate nod to the era when Ducati’s racing success defined its identity. Rather than pushing technology for its own sake, this appears to be Ducati leaning into heritage, character, and emotional connection.
That matters, because not every form of progress has to be electronic or data-driven. Sometimes innovation comes from remembering why motorcycles mattered in the first place: a simple V-twin engine, a compact and approachable platform, and a racing backstory that feels earned rather than manufactured.
There’s also a modern reality at play. One version of the Formula ’73 is listed as being built in Thailand, in line with several Scrambler models. It’s a clear example of Ducati balancing heritage with global production, keeping costs in check without abandoning brand identity. For riders across Asia-Pacific markets, that could also mean easier access if the model reaches showrooms.
For now, key details remain unknown. Pricing, final specifications, and even the bike’s format have yet to be confirmed. Whether the Formula ’73 emerges as a fully faired retro sportbike, a café-inspired naked, or a Scrambler-based special is still open to speculation. What is clear, however, is that Ducati appears to be looking backward for inspiration, not out of nostalgia, but as a reminder of what made the brand matter in the first place.
