Season Review: BMW Motorrad and the Ups and Downs in the Superbike Championship

Published by Stree Missile on 18/08/202318/08/2023

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season has proven to be a challenging endeavor for BMW and their ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team. With varying results and hurdles like injuries to their roster of riders, the German manufacturer finds itself in a battle for the fifth position in the Constructors' Championship after eight rounds. Marc Bongers, the Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, has shared his insights on the first half of the year and the expectations in an interview ahead of the summer break.

A Roller Coaster Journey in 2023: "We Expected More"

Scott Redding achieved the best results for BMW in 2023 with a couple of fourth-place finishes at Donington Park and Most. Despite these achievements, the British rider has yet to return to the podiums he marked in the previous season. On the other hand, Michael van der Mark has faced a significant absence due to a fracture in his left femur suffered at Assen. In his absence, the team turned to Ivo Lopes, Tom Sykes, and Leon Haslam. Van der Mark returned to the track just before the summer break at Most.

Bongers shared his impressions about BMW's campaign so far: "It has been a roller coaster ride. Michael's early injury was a sad situation for us. It was encouraging to see him back at Most before the break. We didn't have excessive expectations for him at this point, but it was crucial for him to assess his condition. Over the next few weeks, he will focus on regaining his fitness. His return is vital for us. Overall, the season has been somewhat disappointing in terms of results. We had higher expectations."

The Challenges in the Championship: Results and Adjustments

The Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport pointed out that bad luck in qualifying sessions and yellow flags during races have affected the team's results. Bongers explained that the competition in the midfield is intense and that a poor qualifying can influence the outcome of the entire weekend. While there have been highlights, such as Redding's fourth places in Donington and Most, Bongers emphasized that the season has been an opportunity to gather valuable information. BMW intends to use the summer break to develop new ideas and approaches for the 2024 season.

Goals for Improvement for BMW

The new M1000RR introduced by BMW for 2023 has brought improvements on the track, although the desired results have not yet materialized for the manufacturer. Bongers pointed out that development in all aspects is essential at this level of competition. BMW has obtained concessions and plans to introduce innovations in the chassis after the summer break. Bongers emphasized the importance of this approach to take the next step in achieving a more solid and competitive performance.

In summary, the 2023 season has been a journey filled with challenges and ups and downs for BMW in the Superbike Championship. The injury to one of their riders, variable results, and fierce competition have tested the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team. Despite the obstacles, BMW is determined to use the summer break to develop new strategies and improvements in the bike, with the aim of coming back stronger in the second half of the season and achieving more satisfying results on the track.