At BMW, the choice of drivers for 2023 for WSBK's M1000RR project is being finalized. In the official SMR team, the places are fixed with Scott Redding whose lease runs until the end of 2025 while Michaël van der Mark has just been renewed until the end of 2023. In Munich, we are now looking at on the Bonovo satellite team which benefits from the same technical support and it is nothing to say that Loris Baz is more than successful. Which is good because the Frenchman wants to stay…
At BMW in WSBK, the troops for the next campaigns with the M1000RR should soon be put into battle order. Under the official SMR banner, Redding et Michael van der Mark already have their order of assignment, while at Bonovo, if the case Eugene Laverty is discussed, that of the last arrival Loris Baz is not up for debate.
A conviction which is also clearly displayed by the boss of the team Jürgen Röder, and quite directly… “ Either he already has it or he gets the contract extension » he said on speedweek. " BMW agreed it with us, we agree. We really want him to stay. And we need a type of driver who also adapts humanly. An arrogant fool doesn't suit us. We are a team with a family environment, Loris likes that a lot. With us he can talk to anyone, Michael Galinski, me, any mechanic. We wanted to be in the top 10 this year, and now we are there with Loris. Of course, we always want to go further, but we must not forget where we come from ».
Loris Baz: “ I'm part of this project that's why I want to stay here«
As for Loris Baz, we are in unison: “ I'm part of this project, that's why I want to stay here “, declared the Frenchman. “ I don't just want to drive for BMW for a year. Unfortunately I have had to change teams too often in recent years. Not because I wanted to, but because I had no other choice. This is not ideal. If you can be part of a project for years and build something around you with the same people, then both parties will better understand what it takes to make the bike faster. That's why I want to stay ».
He adds : " even when I was riding for Ten Kate we were close to the factory Yamaha team. But now I have the same equipment, I get exactly the same support as if I was in the BMW Motorrad team. We test together, do debriefings together and the BMW people are always with us in the pits. In my opinion, BMW is the only manufacturer that actually works with two factory teams. One team has the factory name and the other doesn't, but internally it's the same thing. I feel very good with the people on my team ».
We will recall that Loris Baz has achieved eight top 10 results in 15 races so far. He is eleventh in the world championship with 60 points. Until Scott Redding recently regained control, he was the first pilot BMW classified in the championship, and from the start of the season.
