When Scott Redding arrived in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2020, it was with much fanfare. The Englishman was a big name and a big talent. On paper, Redding’s WorldSBK CV is impressive: he’s taken a dozen race wins and finished on the podium in one third of his starts. He finished his first two campaigns second and third in the standings but it’s the last 18 months that have led to the question marks hanging over his head. His switch to BMW last year brought with it three podium finishes mid-season but with Redding currently 15^th in the Championship standings, it’s clear that he’s not performed as expected. This weekend’s British round marks the halfway point of the season and it could also signify the beginning of the end for Redding.

SPOTLIGHT ON REDDING: can the #45 repeat 2022’s home-round heroics?

The news that Toprak Razgatlioglu will join BMW next year obviously dominated the news wire in the build-up to the last round at Misano. Throughout the weekend, the only topic of conversation within the paddock was Toprak. Now, the rumour mill spreads to the second BMW seat and what the future holds for the current line-up. With Michael van der Mark out injured, although back riding his training bike at an Assen track day, it’s Redding that will be at the centre of attention. The 30-year-old loves Donington Park and claimed his first Grand Prix victory there. Wins in British Superbikes followed but last year’s edition was one of the best weekend’s he’s had on BMW machinery. A podium and three top fives were a great return when BMW brought a raft of upgrades to the undulating track.

Whether or not they’ll be able to unlock something this weekend remains to be seen but for Redding, the time to deliver is now. With options on his contract extension set to expire on July 15^th, this is the last full race weekend he’ll have to impress. Being the top BMW rider is the only target that he can have in mind. If he’s outperformed or struggling, then the German brass will rightly look elsewhere for 2023. On the other side of the pit box will be Donington specialist Tom Sykes. Nine wins and five pole positions show his strength at his home track and the 2013 World Champion will be out to prove his worth.

CRUCIAL BATTLE: Redding MUST beat stand-in teammate Sykes

Scott versus Sykes isn’t the box office attraction to sell tickets but it’s the fight that could be worth paying attention to this weekend. Sykes has his second weekend back with the factory team and he’s out to impress and prove that the Puccetti debacle of the early rounds, when he could barely finish races, wasn’t a true reflection of where he’s at. Redding will know that failing to beat Sykes could be the final nail in his BMW coffin. Either way he’ll be looking at his options for 2024 and with Kawasaki looking increasingly likely to hold on to Alex Lowes, that could mean the only options remaining for him are the factory Honda and Yamaha squads. During a live interview at the Dutch TT van der Mark coyly said "my teammate will be fast next year..." he didn't seem like a man concerned about his future. Has the decision already been made?

KEY FOR THE FUTURE: unlocking a result could secure Scott’s future

Redding wouldn’t be keen to ride for an independent team and his management will be keen to stress the successes that he’s had when armed with the right bike. Redding will want to be paid and if he’s not earning his crust at BMW, it’ll be interesting to see who he has discussions with at Donington Park. It was at the UK Round in 2021 that rumours of Redding leaving Ducati started to surface. It could be a similar story this week.

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