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As BMW prepare for the second half of their season, on one hand, they have their work cut out for them as Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is closing in on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship lead. Yet, questions loom on the horizon as to their plans for 2026. ‘El Turco’ has confirmed his deal with Pramac Yamaha to join the MotoGP paddock next season, and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is yet to put pen to paper with the team or any other team for that matter. Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Sven Blusch spoke on the state of the 2025 season, as well as addressing questions about a 2026 in pit lane at Donington during the WorldSBK FP1.

BACK FROM THE BRINK: “I have a good feeling, and if you see the session times at the moment, I think we are in a good place"

The spirit within the BMW camp seems to be on the mend as after a string of strong rounds have repeatedly cut down Nicolo Bulega's (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) Riders’ Championship lead, now dwindling at just 9 points in favour of the Italian. The team have been hard at work to rectify the bike’s issues, particularly the issue of rear grip in hotter temperatures, a flaw that was causing palpable frustration for their Turkish defending Champion.

On their momentum, Blusch said: "I think we are back in the championship, we really want to push for a good weekend. With the temperatures, I think we struggled a bit more with high temperatures, but I think now we have that a bit more under control. I have a good feeling, and if you see the session times at the moment, I think we are in a good place."

OPEN AUDITION: “We are considering both experienced MotoGP riders and ‘young guns’ from Moto2”

The bittersweet truth of this trip to Donington for the BMW factory team is that while ‘El Turco’ is dominant here- if he can win a race this weekend, he will overtake Tom Sykes for most wins at Donington with 10 wins- this will also be his last trip to Donington before joining MotoGP. He will leave behind an open seat for the BMW team, and the question of who will replace him has been on the lips of many in not only the WorldSBK paddock, but the MotoGP and Moto2 paddocks as well. Linked with the seat have been riders like MotoGP’s Brad Binder and Moto2’s Aron Canet, yet Blusch remains with his cards held close to his chest.

On the silly season intrigue, Blusch said: “We are looking at the moment at all riders' markets. The paddock here is important, but we are also looking at the MotoGP paddock. I think it will take another 2-3 weeks to get a good feeling about who to take, but for sure, it was interesting to talk to a couple of managers at Assen. We are considering both experienced MotoGP riders and ‘young guns’ from Moto2 who, maybe, aren’t going to MotoGP, but understand how great the WorldSBK level is. I think Toprak’s move to MotoGP shows the quality of riders here, even for Moto2 riders”

While the defending champion and his blockbuster move to MotoGP has attracted the lion’s share of the attention, former WorldSSP champion and 42-time WorldSBK podium sitter Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is without a contract with BMW for next season as well. While this season has been a frustrating one for the Dutchman, the team have been together now for five seasons, earning five podiums and two race wins in that time. On the #60’s situation, Blusch was similarly laconic, saying: “We are in constant talks with other riders as well as with Mikey, so we can't give you an update about his seat at the moment.”

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