Brad Binder joins BMW: “I want to fight for the World Championship title”

It’s now official: Brad Binder is moving from MotoGP to the World Superbike Championship in 2027. BMW has confirmed the 30-year-old South African as the new works rider for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Binder will be team-mate to Miguel Oliveira and will take over from Danilo Petrucci.

This brings to an end a seven-year chapter in MotoGP for Binder following the 2026 season. Since his promotion to the premier class in 2020, the South African has claimed two Grand Prix victories and stood on the podium nine further times. In 2027, the BMW M1000RR presents a completely new challenge.

Expectations are high. “We are particularly impressed by his unwavering determination to start a new chapter in the World Superbike Championship,” explained BMW Motorsport Director Sven Blusch. “His goal is clear: he wants to fight for the world title.”

BMW Motorsport Direktor Sven Blusch

Foto: BMW

First, however, Binder must familiarise himself with the specific characteristics of the production-based World Championship and his new machine. “He needs to get used to the BMW M1000RR and the new World Championship – we’re confident he’ll manage that quickly,” emphasised Blusch.

Reunion with Miguel Oliveira

At BMW, Binder will be reunited with a team-mate he knows very well. The South African spent much of his Grand Prix career alongside Miguel Oliveira. The pair were already team-mates in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.

In 2015, Binder and Oliveira raced together for the KTM works team in the Moto3 World Championship. A year later, Binder was crowned Moto3 World Champion. After moving up to Moto2, he was reunited with Oliveira before their paths eventually crossed again in MotoGP. Now, in 2027, they are set to team up once more – for the first time in the World Superbike Championship.

Kennen sich bestens: Oliveira und Binder waren bereits Teamkollegen

Foto: Gold & Goose

“With Brad and Miguel, two former team-mates are reuniting who complement each other perfectly in terms of character and riding style,” Blusch is convinced. “This combination has great potential.”

For Binder, the move marks a major turning point in his career. He is leaving Grand Prix racing to take on the challenge of riding a production-based motorbike. His international career began in 2012 in the Moto3 World Championship. After winning the world title in 2016, he moved up to Moto2, before making the leap to MotoGP in 2020.

Petrucci must make way

Binder’s signing also spells the end for Danilo Petrucci in the BMW Superbike works team. The Italian will have to vacate his seat after the 2026 season. However, their paths need not diverge completely. According to BMW, the company is exploring options to continue its collaboration with Petrucci on another project.

Danilo Petrucci (li.) mit BMW-Technikchef Chris Gonschor

Foto: gold & goose

“We would like to thank Danilo for his tremendous commitment. Together, we want to finish the current season strongly and are working towards a shared future in other projects,” explains Blusch.

With Binder and Oliveira, BMW is thus relying on two experienced MotoGP riders for the 2027 season. Both will need to get used to the Superbike World Championship, but they bring with them years of experience from the premier class. For Binder, the objective is already clear even before his first test on the M1000RR: the 2016 Moto3 World Champion aims to fight for the World Superbike title with BMW.