Magny-Cours has its own way of making the WorldSBK paddock pulse, and Friday was no different. Nicolo Bulega immediately grabbed the spotlight by topping the second free practice session (FP2), underlining that his Ducati Panigale V4 is ready to fight on this traction-demanding circuit.
Bulega, who narrowly missed the world title last season, looked dominant from the start. His lap time in the afternoon session was not only the fastest but also sent a clear signal to his rivals: he arrived in France with a mission to make amends. Behind him, Sam Lowes and Yari Montella completed the top three, showing that the Superbike class competition is tighter than ever.
However, the hottest paddock news did not come from the track but from the garage. Danilo Petrucci is reportedly set to part ways with BMW after just one season together. The decision is surprising, given that Petrucci had shown promising performances in several rounds. This issue quickly became a hot topic among engineers and mechanics, as rider transfers always have a domino effect on the next season's rider market.
On the other side, good news came from the German manufacturer's camp. Miguel Oliveira has decided to stay and extend his contract with BMW until 2027. This decision brings stability to a team that is building a long-term project, while also balancing the imminent departure of Petrucci.
Back on track, the morning's FP1 session saw a few minor incidents, but no serious injuries. With sunny weather and high asphalt temperatures, many teams experimented with rear tire compounds, hoping to find the right setup for Sunday's long races.
With Bulega looking confident, Saturday's Superpole session is set to be intense. However, speculation about Petrucci's future and BMW's strategy could be a distraction. Will the off-track drama affect on-track performance? We'll see.
Baca Juga
Nicolo Bulega tercepat di FP1 dan FP2 WorldSBK Prancis, tapi keluhkan feeling motor yang belum optimal. Simak analisis dan peluang gelarnya.
Iker Lecuona membawa setelan MotoGP ke Ducati WorldSBK-nya di Magny-Cours. Hasilnya? Motor terasa 'cukup berbeda' dan ia bereksperimen untuk mengejar ketertinggalan.
Jake Dixon merasa lebih baik di Magny-Cours setelah cedera, finis P11 di kedua latihan bebas WorldSBK Prancis, tapi sadar masih banyak pekerjaan untuk Honda.
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