THE 2025 WorldSBK Grid’s Silly Season: “I’m not in a rush… We will prioritize Alvaro.”
Thought to be coming on sooner and sooner, the foolish season for the grid of the following year is already under way.
Even though there are only four rounds in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, speculation about the layout of the grid for 2025 is already beginning to surface. Many riders have uncertain futures, some have contracts for the upcoming season, and many have voiced opinions on what to expect in 2025. What is currently known, then, concerning the color of the grid for the upcoming year.
UNDER CONTRACT: who is certain about their future?
Who already has a 2025 contract in their pocket is a good place to start.For the following season, both Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli of Pata Prometeon Yamaha and Nicolo Bulega of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati are under contract. It was announced at Team HRC that Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge would be extended for two years, to encompass the 2024 and 2025 seasons.Kenan Sofuoglu and Shaun Muir have both confirmed that Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) contract is valid for the current and upcoming seasons. Following Misano, BWM declared that the current Razgatlioglu-Michael van der Mark lineup will remain unchanged for 2025, despite the fact that his 2025 teammate had not yet been revealed.Teammate Axel Bassani signed a contract for “2024 and beyond” when he joined KRT for this season; Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has his future assured with the new Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, with that news coming at Misano.
Riders hoping to find a ride in 2025: not yet sorted
The biggest star without a contract for the upcoming season is Alvaro Bautista, the defending champion from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, who chose to sign a one-year contract the previous year. The following riders have not yet signed for the upcoming season: Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team), Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha), Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing), Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team).As of last year, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) disclosed that he was under contract for 2023 and 2024; therefore, he is currently a free agent for 2025.Given that Bonovo Action BMW declared in June that they would leave the WorldSBK at the end of 2024, Gerloff and Scott Redding will need to find new seats for the upcoming season.In another instance, Team GoEleven’s Andrea Iannone’s contract expires at the end of 2024.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID SO FAR: goals for the factory team, retirement discussion
Riders have already been questioned about next year because there are already rumors flying about it. In an interview, Bautista stated that “he doesn’t have anything in his mind” and that he won’t rush into a choice; instead, he will continue racing as long as it’s enjoyable. In contrast, Bautista stated in his Friday media briefing that he wants to make a decision quickly and that it is always a joy to work with Ducati’s top management if they so desire. My goal is to ride as efficiently as possible. I anticipate making a choice shortly that will benefit both my team and me.In his media briefing on Saturday, the #1 driver gave an update from Misano, reiterating that he is not in a rush and that the team has not asked him what he wants to do. Meanwhile, Gigi Dall’Igna, general manager of Ducati Corse, stated that Bautista was the team’s top pick for 2025.
In response to news reports on his potential departure from Assen and connections to other manufacturers or championships, Iannone stated, “I’m happy I’m being spoken about.” I am aware that I have a lot of chances if I win. I hope to join a manufacturing team, but time will tell. I’m glad that, after a long period, I’m feeling a lot of things and that many manufacturers are interested. It is an honor for me. After Assen at Misano, I believe we will learn more about this. During the Cremona test, Denis Sacchetti, the team manager, brought up the subject once more, saying, “It doesn’t depend on us.”
When questioned about silly season in Assen, Alex Lowes, who is now ranked number 22, responded, “I don’t really know, it’s very early.” Just as we’ve seen in past WorldSBK seasons and MotoGPTM, everything begins extremely early. After the Assen round, we have a break; perhaps additional news will be revealed at that time. As for me, I’m not sure yet.
In response to speculation regarding his future at BMW, van der Mark stated that he can only focus on delivering outcomes.In response to questions concerning the rumors that associate Iannone with BMW, van der Mark said, “I need to have some good results and that makes everything a bit easier.”Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Marc Bongers discussed their 2025 rider lineup during Free Practice 1, although he withheld any information: “It’s far too early to say anything; we’re happy the way things are.”During the two-day Misano test, Bongers went into further detail, stating, “I speak for the whole project that there’s no reason to split anything up.”
When asked which teammate he would want to have as a partner—van der Mark, given his solid future—Razgatlioglu replied, “I am happy with Michael as a teammate and the atmosphere in the garage is very good and we work well together.” We collaborate in the race and Superpole together, so it’s easy to say Michael is a nice teammate, a kind man, and polite if BMW asks.
According to Motorsport-Total.com, Gardner has the option to join GRT Yamaha in 2025. However, Aegerter stated in the same article that “the conditions must be right” for the double WorldSSP Champion to stay with the team and that there are “other alternatives.”
