With the news of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) jumping to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2024, one key question after that was whether current Crew Chief, Phil Marron, would follow him. That question has seemingly been answered on social media now with the Turk’s long-term right-hand man announcing that he would follow the #54 from Yamaha to the factory BMW squad for next year.

Marron and Razgatlioglu started working together in his second season in WorldSBK, when he was with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing in 2019. Marron, who had worked with the likes of Eugene Laverty previously, struck up an instant bond with Razgatlioglu and the pair took their working relationship to the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team in 2020 when they moved there, winning their first race with the Japanese brand at Phillip Island.

The pair have worked together at Yamaha since, with the undoubted highlight coming in 2021 when the Turkish superstar fended off Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) for the title, ending the Ulsterman’s run. Despite scoring 60 podiums out of 69 races in 2022 and 2023, the #54 relinquished his crown last year and, while he’s in mathematical contention for the 2023 title against Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), it looks like the #1 will take it this year with a 60-point advantage heading into the final round.

Razgatlioglu’s move to BMW was announced back in May but there had been no news on whether Marron would follow him to the German brand or stay with Yamaha. Pata Yamaha Team Principal, Paul Denning, said at Misano that Marron’s agreement with the team ended this year and would be “free to do what he wants”. Until today, there’d been no news on his future but an exchange on social media clarified where he’d be.

He was asked whether he was going to make the switch with Toprak, with Marron replying: “Yes I’m following Toprak.”

The Turkish star gave his first thoughts about his Crew Chief following him to BMW, saying: “I’m very happy. When I go to different brands, Phil is always coming with me because we are a good package. In 2019, he believed in me and started to work with me at Kawasaki Puccetti. Now, I’m going to different brand with him, not alone, because I’ll never forget this. We are Champions together and we lose together.”

Speaking at the Spanish Round at Jerez, Team Manager at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Shaun Muir said about Marron’s arrival: “I’ve had Phil Marron working for me in previous years, I know the quality he brings. The combination goes deep and far. He’s worked with Toprak through the most successful part of his career, so it was a logical choice for all parties. We’re glad he’s coming along and we’re glad he’s going to continue that progress with Toprak. Nobody knows him better than Phil and, for us, that’s a great DNA to have there. We look forward to working together again.”

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