In 2018, BMW announced its official entry into the World Superbike Championship for the 2019 season, a move that was initially planned for 2020 but was expedited. Despite high expectations, BMW’s journey in the first four years yielded only a single victory, achieved by Michael van der Mark during a wet Superpole Race in Portimao. Despite these challenges, BMW has not wavered in its commitment to the Superbike project, viewing 2023 as a pivotal year of transformation.
Under the leadership of Marco Bongers, head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and with Chris Gonschor as the new technical director for the Superbike project, BMW has intensified its efforts. This includes enhanced synergy between its automotive and motorcycle divisions in Berlin and Munich for data exchange and research. The recruitment of MotoGP test team members Sylvarin Guintoli and Bradley Smith to accelerate the development of the M 1000 RR, especially with the arrival of champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, underscores BMW’s ambition.
BMW’s clear objective is to win the World Superbike Championship in 2025. The commitment seen in the paddock from BMW, in terms of financial and resource investment, is unmatched by any other manufacturer in the Superbike arena.
The recent appointment of Sven Blusch as the new head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, replacing Marc Bongers, who will now focus exclusively on Superbike and the World Endurance Championship from June 1st, signals a strategic realignment. This move raises questions about BMW’s future direction and whether it hints at a potential entry into MotoGP.
Winning in Superbike is seen as the perfect stepping stone for BMW to enter MotoGP. With the MotoGP grid missing Suzuki, it’s believed that Carmelo Ezpeleta would warmly welcome BMW, especially with a regulatory change expected in 2027 aimed at attracting more manufacturers. The new regulations are rumored to include a shift to 850cc engines with less power and less invasive aerodynamics.
For BMW, a foray into MotoGP would require a well-defined and meticulously planned program to ensure readiness. With the financial resources and technical expertise of Guintoli and Smith, along with the successful synergy between its automotive and motorcycle divisions, BMW is well-equipped for such a challenge. The arrival of Blusch adds to the speculation: could he be the man to lead BMW into MotoGP?
However, before any MotoGP ambitions can be realized, BMW’s immediate focus is on achieving success in the Superbike Championship, which would serve as the ideal launchpad for a MotoGP venture.