As we reported just a few months in the past, BMW is reportedly exploring the potential of getting into MotoGP by 2027, a transfer that might mark a major shift within the firm’s motorsport technique. The hypothesis follows feedback from Markus Flasch, the brand new CEO of BMW Bikes, who indicated that the corporate is evaluating the feasibility of collaborating within the premier class of motorbike racing.
Flasch, who assumed management of BMW’s bike division in November 2023 after shifting from the BMW M vehicle division, has prompt that MotoGP may very well be a logical subsequent step for the model. His predecessor, Markus Schramm, was identified for supporting BMW’s involvement within the Superbike World Championship (WSBK), however Flasch seems to be contemplating a broader method that features MotoGP.
2027: A Potential Entry Level
The 2027 season is seen as a possible entry level for BMW on account of upcoming rule modifications that can require all producers to develop new bikes. These modifications may present a extra degree taking part in subject for brand new entrants like BMW, which might not must compete in opposition to groups with established, long-term improvement packages. Alex Hofmann, a former MotoGP rider and present model ambassador for BMW M, famous in an interview with motorsport-total that the timing may work in BMW’s favor. “The brand new laws make the 2027 season a great time for BMW to think about getting into MotoGP. With everybody beginning contemporary, it may mitigate a number of the disadvantages of being a brand new workforce,” Hofmann informed Motorsport-Whole.com.
Challenges Forward
Regardless of the potential advantages, Hofmann additionally identified the numerous challenges that BMW would face if it decides to enter MotoGP. “Coming into MotoGP would require BMW to construct the required infrastructure and provider networks that different groups have spent years creating,” Hofmann stated. He emphasised that BMW would wish to undertake a extra agile decision-making course of, contrasting with its usually longer timelines.
Hofmann additionally burdened the significance of practical expectations. “If BMW commits to MotoGP, they shouldn’t count on rapid success. It’s going to take time to construct a aggressive workforce, and so they’ll must set achievable targets relatively than aiming for fast wins,” he added.
Flasch additionally informed us in Could that there’s a lot of potential in MotoGP’s future, particularly with Liberty Media, the homeowners of Components 1, now on the helm. “MotoGP will obtain much more consideration sooner or later with Liberty Media taking up,” Flasch says. “We see what occurred to Components One when Liberty Media took over,” Flasch defined. Flasch additional emphasised the seriousness of their consideration. “We critically take into account it what we’ve not made any determination but,” Flasch informed us. One vital hurdle is the fee. Flasch candidly addressed this concern, saying, “Price. It’s an funding into the model. And, as you recognize, with advertising and marketing, it’s all the time laborious to inform if the primary or the second $50 million that you just spent was the appropriate $50 million.”
Knowledge Acquisition from Suzuki
In a associated improvement, there are experiences that BMW has acquired information from Suzuki’s ultimate MotoGP season for a reported €18 million. Suzuki’s manufacturing facility workforce, which withdrew from MotoGP after the 2022 season, had some success. Whereas this information may present BMW with priceless insights, Hofmann cautioned that it received’t be a easy matter of replicating Suzuki’s method, particularly given the upcoming modifications in MotoGP laws.
BMW has been the official MotoGP Security Automotive vendor since 1999 but it surely has but to enter the top-tier bike racing competitors. Because the 2027 season attracts nearer, the motorsport group shall be watching to see if BMW joins the grid.
[Source: motorsport-total]
