P1racenews AI automatic summary:
With Toprak Razgatlioglu leaving BMW this year, who should replace the two-time WorldSBK Champion?
Toprak Razgatlioglu is leaving WorldSBK and BMW at the end of this year, which raises the crucial question of his replacement for the 2025 rider market in World Superbike and MotoGP.
Options like Alex Lowes, Axel Bassani, Andrea Locatelli, and Nicolo Bulega are already unavailable, narrowing down the choices for BMW.
Jonathan Rea emerges as a possible replacement for Razgatlioglu, with an impressive track record in the production derivative series and the desire to continue racing if given a competitive package.
Alternatively, Alvaro Bautista, despite his past dominance in World Superbike, faces challenges at Ducati and dealing with the added ballast weight rule, making him a complex option for BMW.
The older age of Bautista and the potential complications that come with hiring him make Lecuona and Vierge, younger and potentially more financially viable options, worth considering for BMW.
