Danilo Petrucci (BMW) doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone: “I’m relaxed”

For BMW, Danilo Petrucci was the best possible successor to Toprak Razgatlioglu, who had moved to MotoGP. Conversely, for the Italian, BMW was the best – and indeed the only – opportunity to compete in the World Superbike Championship with a works team.

In the meantime, any dreams and hopes both parties had of a successful future together have been dashed. We have known since the end of July that the 35-year-old will be leaving BMW after just one season. His successor is South African Brad Binder, who, like Petrucci before him, is moving from MotoGP to the top category of the production-based World Championship.

“If I’d stayed with Ducati, I might have carried on for another ten years. Before joining BMW, I knew: either I’d win the title or I’d call it a day,” said Petrux in an interview with our colleague Mirko Colombi from motosprint.

At present, it doesn’t look as though Petrucci will be able to secure a ride with another Superbike team. His Plan B – a return to the Ducati-backed Barni Racing team – has gone up in smoke, as they are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Xavi Vierge. Petrucci isn’t pointing the finger at anyone.

“I realise that I’ve changed: I’ll soon be 36. What else do I have to prove? Wherever I’ve competed, I’ve excelled, always given 100 per cent and never held back. Whatever happens, I’m taking it in my stride,” the Italian insists. “In MotoGP, I was ‘Mister X’ back in 2012 and carved out my own path. I was 21 back then, now I’m nearly 36, and I’ve won Grand Prix races in the premier class, competed in SBK races, stood on world and international podiums, and excelled on tarmac, gravel, sand and grass.”

Topic of the week

Ferrari row with Hamilton and Leclerc: Team principal Vasseur must now step up

Ferrari came away empty-handed at the Dutch Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, Charles Leclerc fifth. Afterwards, both drivers were angry, and team principal Fred Vasseur found himself having to explain the situation.

Mathias Brunner

Read more

TV program

Live

Magny-Cours: 1. Freies Training

FIM Superbike World Championship

04.09.2026 - 10:15

Retirement is not on the cards for Petrucci just yet. “What am I supposed to do tomorrow? I’m talking about staying in this championship. If there are no other options, I’ll go elsewhere – if they want me. Do I still have something to prove? Perhaps in other disciplines, such as the Dakar car race. I’m calm and focused on reaching my full potential. Whether I finish first or seventh, I’m at ease.”