Challenging WorldSBK weekend at Donington Park.
BMW’s WorldSBK team returned to Donington Park with both riders fit after injuries, but struggled with setup and performance, scoring modest finishes before the summer break.
The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team competed with both Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci at Donington Park for the first time since their injuries. Oliveira finished 11th in Race 1 after a late qualifying crash, while Petrucci managed 15th in both feature races. The weekend proved difficult, with both riders unable to progress through the field despite strong starts.
BMW’s technical director Christian Gonschor cited misleading pre-event testing and reduced fuel-flow allowances as key challenges. The team acknowledged the bike’s race pace was improved from last year but fell short of expectations. Both riders scored points, though results did not reflect their efforts, prompting a focus on data review during the summer break.
Team Principal Shaun Muir expressed relief at having both riders back but noted the weekend was a struggle. He highlighted issues with the bike’s performance in early practice sessions and the difficulty of overtaking in tightly packed races. The team plans to use the break for testing to regain confidence in the package ahead of Magny-Cours.
Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci both reflected on the tough weekend but emphasized their determination to improve. Oliveira stressed the need for collective effort to enhance the bike’s performance, while Petrucci expressed eagerness to return to racing after recovery. The team now turns its focus to the summer break and upcoming testing to address the challenges faced.