Danilo Petrucci has just one chance left – and even Plan B is far from certain

Danilo Petrucci and the BMW M1000RR – neither love at first sight nor a growing fondness. The dismal results from twelve races so far: 6th place in the second main race at the season opener in Australia as his best result. The Italian’s difficulties in adapting were compounded by unbelievable bad luck, which culminated in a fractured coccyx at Most. After seven of twelve events, the veteran therefore has just 46 points to his name and sits in a disappointing 15th place in the World Championship standings ahead of the races at Donington Park in mid-July.

The event in England is a make-or-break moment for the fighter from Terni: if he manages a masterstroke after his long injury lay-off, he keeps his chances of continuing his partnership with BMW alive. Should this endeavour fail, a split is inevitable.

BMW had until the end of June to exercise an option on ‘Petrux’, which would have automatically extended the current contract until the end of 2027. However, as it is unclear what level of performance Danilo is capable of, the managers at BMW did not take up this option. Negotiations for next year will therefore start from scratch, and both parties may also consider other options.

Petrucci is frustrated with himself

No one has been more frustrated over the past few months by his failure to adapt to the M1000RR as hoped than Petrucci himself, who has won races in the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships, as well as in MotoAmerica and even a stage at the Dakar Rally. But unlike his ROKiT team-mate Oliveira, who has already finished third on the podium four times and regularly posts faster lap times than last year’s world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, the Italian is struggling.

BMW is playing for time by not exercising this option, as racing director Sven Blusch wants not only to wait and see what level Petrucci is at by the summer break, but also which riders from the MotoGP paddock will become available. There is growing interest in Moto2 World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez and the long-serving KTM works rider and 17-time GP winner Brad Binder from South Africa.

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Petrucci’s chances also hinge on Bautista

If BMW decides against Petrucci – as there are strong indications it might – the 35-year-old will not find a place in any other factory team. Plan B would be a return to a Ducati team, as apart from BMW (4), only Bimota (3) has secured podium finishes in the current World Championship. “We still love Barni and Barni loves Danilo,” Petrucci’s manager Alberto Vergani told SPEEDWEEK.com about the strongest privateer team. “If Alvaro Bautista doesn’t continue there, that could be an option.”

The 41-year-old Bautista, a two-time Superbike World Champion and winner of 63 races, is currently eighth in the World Championship standings this season, clearly overshadowed by his team-mate Yari Montella, who is 15 years his junior, has 71 more points to his name and is currently third overall.