Danilo Petrucci is facing a new chapter in his career. After losing his WorldSBK seat with BMW Motorrad for the 2027 season, the Italian rider has received an intriguing offer: return to MotoAmerica and become a test rider for the German manufacturer. This development follows BMW's official announcement that Brad Binder will join the WorldSBK team from 2027, partnering Miguel Oliveira.
Petrucci spent just one season with the BMW factory team after three years with Ducati at Barni Spark Racing. His contract ends after 2026, and BMW has chosen a new direction by signing Binder from MotoGP. However, the door for Petrucci remains ajar, with BMW offering a continued involvement in the MotoAmerica paddock.
“BMW offered me MotoAmerica and test work. The chance of returning to America is fifty-fifty,” Petrucci said at the Cremona circuit in Italy last weekend. “I would like to stay involved with the manufacturer and hope it works out. I would be happy with that.”
For Petrucci, MotoAmerica is familiar territory. In 2022, he competed in the American Superbike championship with a Ducati Panigale V4 R. He won multiple races and fought for the title until the final round. However, he notes that the BMW M 1000 RR he tested at Circuit of The Americas has different characteristics from the Ducati he rode before. According to him, the balance between acceleration and braking requires compromises. Additionally, the Dunlop tires used in MotoAmerica provide a different technical baseline compared to the Pirellis in WorldSBK.
Petrucci also sees an opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between BMW's WorldSBK and MotoAmerica projects. Orange Cat Racing, the team he tested with, is one of BMW's official teams in the United States in 2026. With his experience in both series, Petrucci could serve as a valuable technical liaison for BMW.
Meanwhile, Petrucci has voiced criticism of the current state of WorldSBK. He highlighted the practice of some teams requiring riders to bring money to secure a seat. “What's the point of racing if teams ask for money? We're talking about a world championship, but it's becoming normal for riders to pay,” he stated. This criticism reflects frustration with the commercial direction of professional motorcycle racing.
If Petrucci accepts the offer, he will remain under the BMW umbrella, albeit no longer on the WorldSBK grid. A dual role as a MotoAmerica rider and test rider could strengthen the synergy between BMW's racing projects in Europe and America. For Petrucci, this could be a challenging new chapter and an opportunity to continue contributing to motorcycle development.
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