Danilo Petrucci Joins ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2026

Danilo Petrucci to Lead BMW’s WorldSBK Charge in 2026

Danilo Petrucci’s next chapter has been written, and it’s painted in BMW blue. The Italian crowd favourite will swap his Barni Spark Racing Ducati for a full factory seat with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team next season, climbing aboard the M 1000 RR in a move that could shake up the championship battle.

For BMW, this is a signing of intent. For Petrucci, it’s the culmination of a long-held goal. Since arriving in WorldSBK in 2023, “Petrux” has fought his way into the conversation as one of the series’ most consistent podium threats. Last year, he notched ten podiums and three wins—two of them on home soil at Cremona—and he’s already third in the standings this season with six rostrums from 18 races. His blend of grit, experience and raw speed made him an obvious choice for BMW’s factory line-up.

Team Principal Shaun Muir has no doubts about the impact Petrucci will have. He describes the 34-year-old as “a perfect fit,” praising his relentless drive and commitment, and believes the Italian will be a title contender from the very first round. That’s no small statement, especially given the current benchmark set by reigning champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu on the same machinery.

Petrucci’s path to this point has been anything but ordinary. He burst onto the scene in European Superstock, shining in both STK600 and STK1000 before making the leap to MotoGP in 2012. There, he became one of the sport’s most likeable and determined competitors, earning two famous victories with Ducati—Mugello in 2019 and Le Mans in 2020—alongside multiple podiums with both Pramac Racing and the factory squad. After a final MotoGP stint with KTM, he took his talent to MotoAmerica in 2022, finishing runner-up in the championship before returning to world-level racing in WorldSBK.

Now, his sights are set higher than ever. “I’m really proud that I will ride the bike that currently bears the number one,” Petrucci says, referencing BMW’s current title-winning form. “It was my target to ride a factory bike because I really want to fight for the World Championship. This is the step I needed to achieve that goal.” He’s quick to thank the Barni Spark Racing Team for three strong seasons, acknowledging that their support paved the way for this factory opportunity.

BMW’s Head of Motorsport, Sven Blusch, calls the signing more than just a contract—it’s a reward for years of hard work. He believes Petrucci’s adaptability, character and determination will bring both performance on track and energy within the garage. “Danilo has more than earned his place as a factory rider,” Blusch says. “He’s a true fighter who never gives up, and his positive attitude inspires everyone around him.”

Petrucci’s teammate for 2026 is yet to be confirmed, but one thing is already certain: BMW has just added a proven race winner, a fierce competitor, and one of the paddock’s most respected characters to its arsenal. The mission is clear. The fight for the WorldSBK crown starts now.