News

Whilst the battle is fierce at the very top of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, there’s a very important battle behind in terms of Manufacturers’ Championship. Honda vs BMW has been an intriguing battle as both aim to make major gains on Yamaha, Ducati and Kawasaki ahead of them, whilst also outdoing each other. In 2021, it looked like BMW had made their steps count, with podiums and a win, although it hasn’t quite been plain sailing in 2022, as Honda’s consistency and all-new young line-up has helped them edge ahead… for the moment.

HONDA AHEAD: consistency proving vital

Just three points split the Japanese manufacturer from their German rivals, as both aim for the crucial fourth overall in the standings and to not finish last. Currently, it’s advantage Honda, with Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) doing most of the points-scoring and also achieving a stunning podium at Assen in Race 2, with third in just his second WorldSBK round. Teammate Xavi Vierge has also had strong rides, with podium fights and fourth place finishes being his best finishes. The key for Honda has been consistency, with all-but-one race welcoming at least one bike inside the top ten. More often than not, they’ve been in the battle for sixth place, as well as finishing consistently. In the case of Lecuona, just two DNFs and three other no-points results, whilst for Vierge it’s slightly worse but he was injured for most of the first half of 2022.

BMW BOUNCE BACK: a tricky start but quick elevation

Over at BMW and it was a tough start to the year; when they weren’t on form, Honda picked up the mantle and the benchmark for ‘best of the rest’. As BMW struggled with Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) adapting to an inline four motorcycle, whilst they were a rider down with Michael van der Mark missing the season-opener through injury. When van der Mark came back, a heroic ride at Assen was then followed by another nasty injury at Estoril, where he would miss the remainder of the first half of 2022. By the time the field got to Donington Park, a new swingarm helped Redding to a first podium of the year, backed up by another rostrum at Most in Race 1 and a season-best second at Magny-Cours. This was coupled by a dip in form for Honda as at those three circuits, their all-rookie line-up had to get used to the tracks.

LOOKING AHEAD: it really is going to be close

Therefore, we have the situation that lies now; peak results and untimely troughs have meant that Honda and BMW are more-or-less neck and neck. The final two rounds will be pivotal in who comes out on top and both manufacturers have reason to be optimistic about fourth overall. BMW were on the podium in Indonesia in 2021 and took pole at Phillip Island in 2020, albeit with the S1000RR. However, on the contrary, Mandalika – a relatively new circuit – and Phillip Island – after two seasons away – should offer a more level playing field, something that Honda has taken advantage of when it’s mattered. Whilst Lecuona and Vierge know Phillip Island well, neither will have been there on a Superbike and whilst Scott Redding has podiums to his name at the Australian venue, they were with Ducati – BMW’s last podium in Australia came back in 2013…

ANOTHER DYNAMIC: who is scoring for each manufacturer and how has less become more?

And there’s one other dynamic to consider too: at times in 2022, BMW have had three bikes helping them to their points tally. Independent team rider Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) has been top BMW on six occasions so far in 2022, with van der and teammate Eugene Laverty also taking top BMW honours one time each. For Honda, it’s only been their factory team scoring the best points. Team HRC in the teams’ standings are 101 points clear of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and whilst that’s an unfair comparison given van der Mark’s injury, if you put Loris Baz’s points combined with Redding’s then the tally is 275, still 48 behind Team HRC. Whilst BMW have had more riders doing the scoring so far, Team HRC are maximising what they can to push Honda ever so slightly ahead.

CONCLUDING: why does it matter SO MUCH?

BMW will be desperate to hold onto fourth overall; the gains made last year showcased true potential and development and whilst that’s helped for 2022, it hasn’t translated to such a major step in performance. This is mainly down the upgrades of those around them, particularly their rivals, Honda. Switching to Showa suspension and Nissin brakes (the latter like BMW) have seen Honda’s development ceiling increase even with an all-rookie line-up, whilst different chassis bracing has also been key gain. With super concessions coming into effect in the near future, both will unequivocally make gains, but who will make the biggest? Time will tell; it’s not an easy decision on picking which area to apply the concession to. A significant upgrade in one area may exacerbate a weakness in another, so it’s all about balance. Which upgrade gives the biggest benefit and costs the least in performance, over a season-long battle with other evolving manufacturers, is a hard choice with so much at stake. Both manufacturers have a point to prove but with the same end goal: to bridge the gap and to make it a five-way manufacture shoot-out at the top of World Superbike.

Watch the Pirelli Indonesian Round LIVE, wherever you are in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!