BMW clarifies plans for 2024 World Superbike Championship: Scott Redding will remain BMW rider, but will be transferred to Bonovo team – Loris Baz loses his job
Scott Redding will continue to race for BMW in the 2024 WSBK season. After weeks of uncertainty, BMW confirmed on Wednesday ahead of the Aragon event that Redding will be placed in the Bonovo team, taking the place of Loris Baz, who will have to look for a new job for the coming season
With Bonovo, Redding will be equipped with factory material by BMW. Just how competitive the team around Jürgen Röder and Michael Galinski is became clear at the recent WSBK event in Magny-Cours, when Garrett Gerloff secured pole and was by far the best BMW rider.
“Four strong BMW factory riders in our two strong BMW teams – with this new division we enter the 2024 WSBK season in an excellent position,” commented BMW motorbike CEO Markus Schramm.
“Scott Redding is a strong racer and we appreciate that he will stay with our BMW WSBK project to bring his strengths to the Bonovo team,” notes Markus Schramm, praising Redding: “His experience, his speed and above all his skill will be an important part of optimising our common goals together with Garrett Gerloff and the entire team. “
“With the addition of Toprak Razgatlioglu, we have the opportunity to optimise the allocation of our factory riders to our two teams. Together with Michael van der Mark in the factory team, we have the ideal team for the overall project,” the BMW motorbike manager is convinced.
BMW is very well positioned for the 2024 WSBK season. The Munich-based company has four very strong riders and there are also many changes behind the scenes to take the project forward. Former world champion Sylvain Guintoli will take on the role of test rider. The Frenchman brings with him plenty of experience from MotoGP, World Superbike and World Endurance Championship.
There is a strong exchange between the two BMW teams in the World Superbike Championship so that the M1000RR will soon be able to fight for podiums and victories on a regular basis. “Both teams use the riders’ feedback in close exchange with our BMW Motorsport engineers to further improve the bike together,” explains Markus Schramm.
“In addition, we think that the fact that we have two strong teams filled with top riders increases the internal competitive pressure a bit more. This also helps to increase the overall performance. We are convinced that this new rider/team division is another important step to catch up with the top in WSBK with our project,” said the BMW manager.
“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Loris Baz for our collaboration. He will leave the WSBK project after the end of the current season,” Markus Schramm confirms. “After two seasons competing for the Bonovo team, we wish him all the best for the future. “
