P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Danilo Petrucci’s switch to BMW for the 2026 WorldSBK Championship sees big goals envisaged for the Italian.
Danilo Petrucci has switched to BMW for the 2026 WorldSBK Championship with high ambitions set for the Italian rider after his successful stint with the Barni Spark Racing Team aboard a Ducati. This move marks a transition from Italian to German machinery for Petrucci, who will be working in a factory setup for the first time since 2020 when he rode for the factory Ducati team in MotoGP. His one-year contract with BMW reflects the team’s structure, but Petrucci is optimistic about surpassing his current provisional third place position in the championship standings. Expressing his excitement about returning to a factory team, Petrucci views this new challenge as an opportunity to aim for the world championship title and compete with the best on the BMW bike, especially with the dominant performances of current championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Acknowledging the tough road ahead, Petrucci considers the switch to BMW as one of the most significant challenges in his career, drawing parallels to his move to Ducati’s MotoGP factory team in 2019. Despite the exceptional form of Razgatlioglu, Petrucci remains determined to elevate his performance and vie for the world title, recognizing the competitive landscape within the team and the high expectations that come with riding the BMW M1000RR. Anticipating a demanding journey, Petrucci’s determination and eagerness to test his skills on the new bike underline his goal of becoming a top contender in the WorldSBK championship.
