It’s been the motorsport rumor everyone’s talking about—will BMW finally jump into MotoGP? There’s been tons of speculation, especially with major rule changes coming in 2027. The new regs will see bikes switch to 850cc engines, cut down on aerodynamics, and remove ride-height devices, making the series more attractive for newcomers like BMW.
But as of now, BMW’s bosses are sounding pretty cautious. Markus Flasch, the CEO at BMW Motorrad, says there’s no quick decision on a MotoGP entry—2027 is “not viable” for them at the moment. Yes, they’ve flirted with joining before, even trying to buy Suzuki’s racing setup in 2022 and looking into acquiring KTM’s racing division, but nothing’s come together. The grid is capped at 22 bikes, so any new manufacturer would need to partner with an existing team, rather than building a brand new outfit from scratch.
BMW has reportedly even paid €18 million for Suzuki’s MotoGP bike data, hunting for an edge if they do take the plunge. But there’s no confirmed technical development for a MotoGP bike just yet. Flasch says the company is still weighing its strategic options, and he expects a final decision within a few months—but for now, fans will have to keep waiting. If BMW does join, it would no doubt shake things up and add another big-league European name to the grid.
Maverick Vinales Says “No Thanks” to BMW’s WorldSBK Offer
In other news, BMW’s search to replace WorldSBK star Toprak Razgatlioglu (who’s moving to MotoGP) hit a snag. They offered a seat to current KTM Tech3 MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales, hoping he’d make the switch to Superbikes for 2026. Viñales, though, has decided to stick with MotoGP and KTM, turning down BMW’s approach. Following this earlier today they have confirmed Danilo Petrucci as their rider for 2026.
