In less than two weeks, Scott Redding will make the decision on whether or not to stay at BMW, but is van der Mark in the running for the same?
We are halfway through the season of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, and certain issues already concern the 2024 grid, notably the discussions at BMW. After the announcement of Toprak Razgatlioglu, who will leave the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team to join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team, transfers continue to be talked about. Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark, the two official BMW drivers this year, are fighting to stay on the factory team, and both spoke to the media over the weekend to share their views on 2024.
VAN DER MARK RUNNING TO BE TEAMMATE WITH TOPRAK: “I have no reason to worry. »
Van der Mark – who has been injured since his last home race at Assen – was adamant about his future, saying he had no reason to worry: “I stayed at home for a while time and I didn't like it! I will be back on the grid next year, I have no reason to worry. That's all I can say. »
Asked whether he would continue with BMW or not, the Dutchman replied: “As I said, I don't have to worry and above all, I need to be in great shape. We've had two years with a lot of injuries, so I hope the bad luck is over. » As for the date of a possible announcement, the 2014 WorldSSP Champion remained shy: “I have no idea, but we will see.”
The five-time WorldSBK winner – the only one to have done so with BMW in the last 10 seasons – also shared his thoughts on his friend Toprak joining the team for 2024: “I think it 'is a good thing ; Toprak is always motivated and gives his all. He has a different riding style for sure, so it will be interesting to see how he works on our bike. BMW is doubling down on development, and that's what we need, so the commitment is there and Toprak will be there. Everyone can't wait to see what happens! »
IS REDDING’S PRIORITY TO STAY WITH BMW? “I have the BMW option, which is important to me”
On the other side of the box, Scott Redding has already confirmed that he has until July 15 to decide whether he wants to exercise his option to stay at BMW or leave after two seasons. The last two years have been difficult for the number 45, who has not had a single victory, although a strong Round at home at Donington Park may give him food for thought.
Redding said “time is running out” to make a decision, but his priority was to continue with BMW in WorldSBK, although he is looking at all other options wherever they are: “I need to believe in project as they believed in me, and I think that thanks to this weekend, it will help me make decisions for the future. »
This weekend resulted in a first Top 4 for Redding this season and good competitiveness in the long races: “It's nice to feel like Scott Redding on the bike! It's been a tough season, but feeling the bike talking to me allows me to understand what to do and how to ride, but also to be able to push the bike the way I want. These two races were very enjoyable! »
However, there are unanswered questions about 2024… Did his improved feeling help him make a decision? “There’s obviously a lot of discussion going on right now, and I just want to show people I’m still here… It’s hard to convince people when the results aren’t there. When I’m racing, I know what I can and can’t do, and I can say it as much as I want, but in reality, people don’t care; they want results. On Sunday, it was good to be leading the BMW riders and to be so strong; I’m happy. I can come in and say, ‘I’m the one who can ride a bike, I’m not a passenger,’ so I hope the next races will bring us something good too.”
As for his future, Redding confirmed he would like to stay in WorldSBK: “I think you'll see me in this paddock, for sure. We have to see what happens. I have the BMW option, which is important to me, and that's where I am right now. We will see in the next two weeks if I can get something to be at the front. »
