BMW launches WorldSBK livery for 2023 attack

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. Going straight into back-to-back races, which is not normal for us, it will be important to get some good races and a strong start to the championship.”

“I am looking forward to the new season, of course,” teammate van der Mark added after the Dutchman endured a difficult season of injury in 2022. “For sure, we will have a better season than last year. I am fully back, fit again, highly motivated as ever and we are still making progress with the new BMW M 1000 RR.

“Of course we want to be on the podium and win but we have to do it step by step.

“I am looking forward to starting the season. Testing is always nice but racing is different. It was a short winter but I still missed it a lot and I can’t wait to be back racing with the others.”