With mixed results and a long injury lay-off for one of their riders, the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has been a challenge for BMW and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. The German manufacturer currently sits fifth in the Manufacturers’ Championship after eight rounds of the season and, ahead of the summer break, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers reviewed the year so far.
“A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE, WE EXPECTED MORE” – not ideal for BMW in 2023
Scott Redding claimed BMW’s best result of 2023 with fourth at Donington Park and Most, but the Brit is yet to repeat his podium success of last season. On the other side of the box, Michael van der Mark has missed half the year after fracturing his left femur at Assen. The team used Ivo Lopes, Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam in the rounds he missed with the Dutchman making his return at Most, the final round before the summer break.
Expanding on BMW’s campaign so far, Bongers said: “It’s been quite a rollercoaster ride, really. We had Michael injured at the beginning of the season which was sad. It was good to see him back at Most just before the summer break. We couldn’t expect a lot from him yet but, for us, it was important for him to see where he’s at. For the next five weeks in the summer break, he can concentrate on his physical fitness. It’s important to have him back. For the rest, the season has been slightly disappointing in terms of results. We expected more.
“We’ve had quite a few unlucky races where we had terrible Superpole results, for example in the last three rounds we’ve been pestered by yellow flags. The field is so competitive in the middle that if you don’t qualify well, it determines the results of your weekend. There are quite a few races where we’re happy with the pace. We’ve had some highlights with a fourth place at Donington, a fourth place at Most which was a very good ride from Scott. We’ve gathered a lot of information and we go into the summer break with some ideas for development. Then again, the summer break is short and already we have to start concentrating on 2024.”
“WE HOPE TO COME OUT OF THE SUMMER BREAK WITH NEW GOODIES” – new parts coming?
BMW introduced an updated M1000RR model for 2023, featuring upgrades compared to its predecessor, most notably, an overhauled aero package, although results haven’t been coming for the German manufacturer. Redding’s two fourth places the highlight, whilst Tom Sykes was competitive at Donington Park – as always – when he replaced van der Mark. Bongers expanded on where he would like to see BMW find progress including at an upcoming test at MotorLand Aragon, scheduled for the end of August.
“The bike at this level is such a complicated puzzle,” stated Bongers. “You can’t leave one stone unturned. You have to develop in every single area, so chassis, engine, electronics, aerodynamics… parts are very limited due to the regulations. We have gained super concessions so we hope to come out of the summer break with new goodies in terms of chassis, which will hopefully make the next step.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com