MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

The new system of concessions is aimed at allowing (in particular) Honda and Yamaha to catch up with the European manufacturers. But concessions are only helpful in as far as the factories actually use them. To improve, you have to go testing.

And that is what Honda is doing. According to Motorsport.com, Luca Marini has joined Stefan Bradl and the HRC test team at Jerez twice to test the Honda RC213V, and to help him adapt to riding the Honda. The step from Ducati to Honda is much greater than expected, and the Italian needs to spend as much time on the bike as possible to understand it.

Motorsport reports that Marini will be in Jerez on Tuesday and Wednesday as well, to continue testing alongside Stefan Bradl, as well as the test teams from Ducati and KTM. Yamaha is expected to test with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins after Portimão, alongside test rider Cal Crutchlow.

BMW to MotoGP? Maybe not...

There was a brief flurry of excitement yesterday when an interview with Markus Flasch, BMW's new Head of Motorrad, suggested that BMW might be considering an entry into MotoGP. The quotes came at the end of a very long, wide-ranging and fascinating interview with the boss of BMW's motorcycles division in the German magazine Motorrad, which covered BMW's product range, the launch of the new R 1300 GS, how BMW view both their six-cylinder line and the R18 cruiser range, electric bikes, the role of e-fuels, and even the possibility of a smaller capacity boxer GS.

Flasch emphasized the importance of motorsport to BMW, a lesson he had borne out in his previous role as head of BMW's M division. "You can be sure that we will be further strengthening our engagement in motorsport," he said.

He told Motorrad that BMW would be examining the development of the WorldSBK championship, and assessing how it is developing in terms of rules, calendar, and rivals. And he said they were examining whether to expand into other series as well, alongside the EWC endurance championship.

When asked directly about a role in the MotoGP championship, Flasch pointed out that they are already prominent in the series as supplier of safety and medical cars, and circuit bikes. "As head of BMW M, I have attended plenty of races, I know the responsibilities, and we are a brand that is present there. But that we would have to have good reasons for it [racing in MotoGP] is obvious, and so we are examining it closely. I wouldn't rule it out."

Flasch also pointed to other branches of sport BMW are interested in, including an interest in off-road events. The interviewer asked about the Dakar Rally, and Flasch once again reiterated that everything was open. "As I said, I don't want to rule anything out. The fact is that motorsport is important for us, and we are assessing what would make sense for us outside of the WorldSBK championship."

Reading the interview, the comments came at the very end, and were very carefully couched in uncertainty. If BMW were to be considering entering MotoGP, then 2027 would be a good place to start, with the change in the technical regulations. But as the tech rules are yet to be fixed, BMW have little to go on when developing a bike. It is widely accepted that engine capacity will be reduced to 850cc, and the maximum bore probably fixed at 75mm. 

But designing a new engine from scratch is a process that takes several years, especially when up against factories with decades of experience. It is a long-term investment, and would require BMW to commit something in the region of €60 million a year for a period of five years or more, if they want to be sure of success. That is a big gamble, even for a manufacturer the size of BMW.