BMW can boast of having made the big move in the 2024 transfer market in WSBK by attracting into its net a Toprak Razgatlioglu who is just as delighted to combine business with pleasure: a new challenge, and a major one, while taking advantage of a more than comfortable economic situation. Certainly, but the excitement of the publication of the bans is now followed by the organization of the next season and not everyone will have their place on the table. The situation that now prevails within the Bavarian brand is that there are five riders for four M1000RRs. One of the four currently in the running will have to give up their place. And given everyone's situation, Loris Baz could have some worries...
It is an established fact: the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in BMW will force the brand to review its set-up for next season. Marc Bongers, responsible for the Munich WSBK project, will indeed be called upon to make choices which are not really simple, considering that with the addition of the Turk there are no longer enough M1000RRs for everyone. To be clear, between Scott Redding et Michael van der Mark among officials and Garrett gerloff et Loris Baz within the Bonovo satellite team, one of the four will have to pack his bags…
In view of the situation of everyone's contracts, we note that Scott Redding has control over its future. The British driver signed a four-year contract with the Bavarian manufacturer in the summer of 2021, which therefore binds him until 2025. Among the various clauses of the agreement, however, there is an option which expires in mid-July and which Scott must exercise on this date to continue for another two years. If the former of Ducati decided to continue, his place aboard the M1000RR would be definitively established. For now Redding is in difficulty, but from an economic point of view, few manufacturers would be able to guarantee it as much as BMW.
After making someone happy, BMW will have to make someone disappointed
Scott Redding therefore seems to be the least vulnerable. And side van der mark ? Despite the injuries, the Dutchman signed a contract renewal for 2023 last year with an option for 2024. However, this does not include a move to a possible Bonovo team, as he is solely and exclusively linked to the team factory. But in case the parties reach an agreement, it could accept the satellite team, thus remaining in orbit BMW.
The two aforementioned can a priori sleep peacefully, we must look at the duo in the running with partner Bonovo. There we find in particular the American Garrett gerloff which has an option for 2024 and everyone at BMW loves him, especially the number one of the satellite team. He should therefore continue his adventure on the M1000RR.
This path ends in the box Loris Baz which appears in this unfolding as the weak link. French's lease expires at the end of the season and, for 2024, according to GP One, he has no option to play against the decision-makers of BMW. If he wants to secure his position, he will now have to show himself more than to his advantage on the German bike during the next WSBK meetings. Otherwise, he could well be the collateral victim of the installation of the Turkish World Champion in the organization chart BMW.
