- CEO Markus Flasch ‘wouldn’t rule out’ future entry
- BMW already has entry in World Superbike championship
Markus Flasch, the new chief executive of BMW Motorrad, the German manufacturer’s motorcycle division, has revealed the Bavarian brand is “taking a closer look” at entering MotoGP.
In an interview with German magazine Motorrad, Flasch claims to be “an absolute supporter of motorsport” and that this could stretch to a future entry in the global motorcycling series.
“BMW M has been a vehicle partner of MotoGP for years,” said Flasch. “As BMW M boss, I was at all the races, I know those responsible and we are a present brand there. But it’s clear that it has to make sense to us, and that’s why we’re taking a closer look at it. I wouldn’t rule it out.”
The brand has supplied safety cars to MotoGP since 1999, while it also has a two-wheeled focus with its entry in the Word Superbike championship.
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These comments support rumours that BMW is targeting a MotoGP entry to coincide with the next raft of rule changes in 2027, as reported by The Race. Some reports go as far as to say a deal has already been signed with parent company Dorna.
This would back up suspicions that Dorna is reserving the two spots vacated by Suzuki prior to the 2023 season for a factory outfit, and BMW appears to be in the best position to act on this.
The move would also be supported by teams on the grid, with the last factory entry coming from Suzuki and KTM in 2016.
“I see BMW [is] quite fast in testing in Superbike with [Toprak] Razgatlioglu, so it would be nice,” Aprilia team boss Masimo Rivola told The Race at last month’s Sepang test.
“To be honest, with all respect, we need more constructors than [another] satellite team… For the benefit of the sport, to make it bigger.
“I don’t know if Kawasaki or Suzuki wants to come back, but it would be nice to have a [new] manufacturer on board for sure.”
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