Danilo Petrucci Joins BMW for WorldSBK 2026 on M 1000 RR
BMW Motorrad Motorsport will welcome Danilo Petrucci to its FIM Superbike World Championship programme in 2026. The Italian fan favourite, 34, will join the factory rider lineup in WorldSBK and race the BMW M 1000 RR with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. He succeeds World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR), who will move to MotoGP for the upcoming season.
Petrucci, known as “Petrux,” ranks among the most experienced international riders. He raced full-time in MotoGP from 2012 to 2021 and added further appearances over the following two years. He also competed in MotoAmerica and tackled the Dakar Rally, where he impressively won a stage. He moved to WorldSBK in 2023 and, in 93 races with the private Barni Spark Racing Team, claimed 20 podiums, including three victories. In the current season, he has already taken seven podiums and sits third in the standings behind leader Razgatlioglu and Nicolò Bulega (ITA). He also leads the Independent Riders’ standings by a wide margin.
“We are very pleased to welcome Danilo Petrucci to our BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in 2026,” said Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “We are confident that we can continue our success story in WorldSBK with Danilo. His move to BMW Motorrad Motorsport is more than just a new contract – it is a recognition of his hard work throughout his career. Danilo has more than earned his place as a factory rider, and we are convinced that his passion and skill will help lead our team into the future. His impressive career across various motorsport disciplines is a testament to his talent and ability to perform under the most demanding conditions. Danilo has not only excelled on the track but has also won the hearts of fans with his unique character and authenticity. He’s a true fighter who never gives up, and his positive attitude inspires not only his team but everyone who follows him. We look forward to the challenges and successes ahead, and we are proud to soon have Petrux as a member of our BMW Motorrad Motorsport family.”
Petrucci said: “I’m thrilled to join BMW Motorrad Motorsport for the next season in World Superbikes and proud that I will ride the bike that currently bears the number one. My goal was to ride a factory bike, as I wanted to compete for the World Championship title. I believe this is the step I needed to take to get into the position to achieve that goal. I can’t wait to join the team, and I want to thank everyone at BMW and all those people at home who support me. I also want to thank the Barni Spark Racing Team for these three years in World Superbike, and for enabling me to get into a factory team, which has been my target.”