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BMW returned to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2019 with a full factory structure, with the efforts from the German manufacturer continuing year after year and, in parallel, so has the role it has played in the Championship. 2022 will be the second year with the M 1000 RR and, after the new bike won in 2021, could this year be the year BMW regularly challenge for podiums and wins?

In 2019, the first podiums of the new project arrived with Tom Sykes. His first association with the German manufacturer came on the S 1000 RR, used in 2019 and 2020 before the introduction of a new bike. The highest peak, so far, came from Michael van der Mark in the Tissot Superpole Race at Portimao. The Dutchman, in his first season with BMW, used the wet weather conditions to his advantage to claim the M 1000 RR’s first victory. BMW’s history has been one of constant progression and they will be hoping 2022 is another step forward to be a regular top-three contender.

Van der Mark’s Portimao victory ended an eight-year hiatus without a BMW machine winning a WorldSBK race. Winning and visiting the podium more frequently were among the objectives of last year and, in that sense, it was mission accomplished. Five podiums were scored in 2021 in the first season of the M 1000 RR and the German manufacturer tripled their points scored between 2020 and 2021, from 101 to 315. Van der Mark claimed sixth in the Championship with teammate Sykes 11th, although the Brit’s campaign was disrupted by injury in the second half of the season.

For 2022, the German manufacturer wants much more. BMW wants to be established at the top of the Championship in which there have been moments of brilliance and glory but are yet to win the title. To try and make this happen, there is a new rider line-up at BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: BMW signed Scott Redding, runner-up in 2020 and third in 2021 with Ducati, to partner van der Mark this season. The efforts of the official team are reinforced by another new combination on BMW machinery. Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty, experienced WorldSBK riders, have joined Bonovo Action BMW with the team expanding to two bikes. The experience of both riders, especially Laverty on BMW machinery, will contribute to the development of the bikes and, BMW hopes, to score points in the Manufacturers’ Championship.

In terms of the technical aspect, the evolution of BMW has been continuous. In 2022, the M 1000 RR was optimised step by step; improving the chassis, taking a step forward and revealing that the new bike was a solid machine, especially in wet conditions. “We just lacked a bit in the midrange and top power, and that's something we're fixing for next year,” said factory team manager Shaun Muir at the end of last year, and during this preseason he’s already stated that they have seen progress. BMW were able to define the path to follow in a test in December and, more recently, the injury to van der Mark while training has allowed Redding to lead the next steps. With Redding’s arrival came new parts to help his adjustment to the bike: a reconfiguration of the fuel tank and subframe, a constant evolution of electronics and the “final fix” to the 2022 engine.

“The development of the engine is now at the level we expect for WorldSBK. For 2021, we ran the BMW M 1000 RR Superbike engine which had a level which we were not reaching the full RPM level. Also, we had increased the development of the camshaft and the internal engine work. For now, in 2022, we are utilising the full level of engine tuning which we’re allowed under the FIM ruling. Also, the electronics have made a big step forward,” Muir assured after the team tested at Misano.

It is significant that Muir already looks to mirror other teams as he looks to take the BMW team to the top. Muir added: “When we look at the top teams in the paddock over the past few years, Kawasaki and Ducati have been regular winners of races and Championships, for sure Kawasaki. Our level and our target is to be on the podium with these two riders. In my opinion, the two riders we have can really make the big step forward this year and really be regularly on the podium between the other teams.”

At the most recent test in Barcelona, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers added a final reflection of his ambitions: “Yamaha are the benchmark as they are the Champions. But if you restart a project like this, you definitely require time and you need to build confidence and prove that you are increasing the performance of your bike, to get better riders. It’s step-by-step and that takes a couple of years. In all honesty, we basically lost 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was a very short season with no time to react at all. This is our fourth season, really the third but I don’t want to use it as an excuse. The Championship isn’t getting any easier but we’re up for it.”

The challenge for BMW has been served and it will be exciting to witness the German manufacturer’s assault at the top of the field, especially in a year where all rivals, starting with reigning Champions Yamaha, but also Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda, have redoubled their efforts to achieve the same goal.

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