Ahead of the Most round (May 16-18, 2025), the FIM has imposed a further fuel flow reduction on Ducati and BMW as part of the 2025 WorldSBK performance balancing system, which is based on maximum fuel flow. This decision, announced after Concession Checkpoint 2 in Cremona, aims to limit the dominance of the two manufacturers, but has sparked debate over its fairness, particularly for BMW.
The World Championship Superbike 2025 is entering a new regulatory phase. Before the round in Most (Czech Republic), the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) has readjusted the fuel consumption limits, negatively impacting Ducati et BMW, two of the most competitive manufacturers of the moment.
Since this season, the FIM no longer uses engine speed as a criterion for balancing performance, but the maximum permitted fuel flow rate, initially set at 47 kg/h (+2% tolerance). This value is re-evaluated every two events based on a complex algorithm.
Second brake for Ducati and BMW
After the resounding successes of Nicholas Bulega (Ducati) in Australia and Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) in Portimão, the FIM had already reduced the fuel flow by 0,5 kg/h before Assen. This measure, although modest, had already caused some pilots to react Ducati, who denounced a more aggressive throttle response.
But after the triple success of Open up in Cremona and the three second places of Razgatlioglu, the FIM has moved on to the second penalty step : a further reduction of 1,0 kg/h. This time, the consequences will be much more significant, both in terms of performance and mechanical risk: a smaller quantity of fuel results in a higher combustion temperature, with increased risk of engine failure.
The uniform application of this penalty to Ducati et BMW question. Indeed, if Open up et Razgatlioglu shine in the race, the other drivers of their respective brands do not keep pace. Michael van der Mark (BMW), for example, has only reached the top 5 twice this season. The collective punishment therefore seems severe given the mixed results.
With this new limitation, the FIM seeks to tighten the hierarchy in a championship dominated by two drivers. But this balancing strategy raises questions equity issues, especially when individual performances are very disparate within the same manufacturer. The round of Most is shaping up to be a critical test to assess the real impact of these restrictions.
