BMW launches WorldSBK livery for 2023 attack

17.02.2023 - 19:45 bikesportnews.com

BMW officially launched its 2023 WorldSBK campaign in Friday ahead of the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia next weekend. Riders Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark spearhead the factory effort with Loris Baz and Garrett Gerloff joining the charge aboard the Bonovo Action satellite team.

As the new look livery switches from white to black for the Rokit sponsored SMR-run outfit, Bonovo maintains the more typical blue and white design.

BMW has described its rider lineup as “the strongest we have had to date” with high expectations on the quartet ahead of the final pre-season test. “Going to Australia, I am really looking forward to the first race of the year,” Redding confirmed. “It feels like it has been a short winter.

Let’s see how it goes. I think we can expect some warmer weather at the opening rounds which will be good. “Last year, the final round was not so bad so hopefully we can get a good start to the new season.

Loris Baz Scott Redding Garrett Gerloff Australia county Island

Last season, with the car woefully off the pace and both drivers grinding out results while bouncing about like pinballs, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell made companionable teammates. This year, with Mercedes intent on ultimately producing a more competitive ride capable of winning races, tension between the pair is likely to ratchet up. Russell had a superb debut for Mercedes in 2022, becoming only the third teammate to beat Hamilton over a season, and can expect to only be better this year. Nor is he intimidated or shy of fighting his corner against the seven-times champion as he proved in winning in Brazil last year. That said, Hamilton is motivated like never before, targeting an eighth title and more victories with the same fierce determination that has defined his career. Immovable object and unstoppable force, then. If there is to be a changing of the guard at Mercedes it will not be conducted lightly. Probably the most competitive and exciting driver pairing on the grid.

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