BMW Motorrad has introduced Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci as their new riders for the 2026 WorldSBK season, aiming to contend strongly in the championship. This fresh lineup follows the departure of three-time champion Toprak Razgatlioglu to MotoGP and the repositioning of Michael van der Mark into a test rider role while also joining BMW’s endurance racing program.
Oliveira Joins BMW Following Pramac Yamaha Exit
Arriving in a direct swap for Razgatlioglu, Miguel Oliveira was released by Pramac Yamaha after completing one year of a two-year contract. The 31-year-old brings substantial experience from his seven seasons in MotoGP, securing five race wins while racing for KTM, Aprilia, and Yamaha. Oliveira faces the challenge of adapting quickly to WorldSBK as he transitions from the premier class.
Oliveira Discusses His Ambitions and Challenges
Expressing a mix of excitement and uncertainty, Oliveira acknowledged the competitive nature of WorldSBK.
“I’m excited for sure. I don’t know really what to expect,”
he said. He emphasized his dedication to meeting the challenge head-on, aiming to fight for leading positions and adapt as swiftly as possible. Oliveira also highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and delivering strong performances for the team.
Petrucci Brings Proven Consistency to BMW’s Factory Team
BMW’s initial announcement was the signing of Danilo Petrucci, who joins after three seasons with Barni Spark Racing aboard the Ducati Panigale. Petrucci has consistently finished fifth in the past two WorldSBK campaigns and was third in the standings before an injury sidelined him for the last two rounds of the recent season. His record includes three victories and 20 podium finishes, and this marks his return to a factory team since competing with Ducati in MotoGP in 2019.
Petrucci Shares Enthusiasm for the New Chapter with BMW
Petrucci expressed pride in joining BMW’s factory squad, noting its recent championship successes.
“I’m so happy and proud to join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team,”
he said. He reflected on initial testing sessions, particularly under wet conditions, which showed promising results, though he stressed the need for more dry-track testing. With no specific target results, Petrucci aims to enjoy racing while improving on last year’s performances.
“There are a lot of expectations, but mainly I want to enjoy. I don’t have any particular result in mind. I just want to be as fast as I can and improve my results from last season,”
he added.
Implications for WorldSBK’s Upcoming Season
The addition of Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci substantially strengthens BMW’s prospects in the 2026 WorldSBK championship. Oliveira’s premier class experience combined with Petrucci’s proven competitiveness signals a serious push by BMW to regain top standings following the exit of Razgatlioglu. Their performance throughout the season will be closely watched as fans and analysts anticipate how quickly Oliveira adapts and how Petrucci leverages factory support to climb higher than his recent consistent finishes.
