BMW CONFIRMS BRAD BINDER FOR 2027 WORLD SUPERBIKE MOVE AFTER KTM EXIT

BMW has confirmed that Brad Binder will move to the World Superbike Championship for the 2027 season, with the South African set to replace Danilo Petrucci at the German manufacturer. The switch brings an end to Binder’s MotoGP career with KTM, where he has been a factory mainstay since making his premier-class debut for the Austrian marque in 2020.

Binder’s KTM journey included a landmark moment early on: he took his first MotoGP Grand Prix win in only his third race with the team, a victory that also came as KTM’s debut win in the premier class. However, KTM has decided not to extend his contract beyond the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, paving the way for his move to BMW’s production-bike programme.

BMW’s 2027 WSBK plans will pair Binder with Miguel Oliveira. BMW confirmed Oliveira’s continuation with the team ahead of the French WorldSBK at Magny-Cours, and now the factory line-up will reunite the two riders who previously shared KTM’s works MotoGP garage in 2021 and 2022. On the same day BMW’s decision was made public, Petrucci confirmed he would not stay with the Bavarian factory WorldSBK team next year.

Oliveira, who had already moved to WSBK ahead of 2026 after losing his ride at Pramac, sent a message to Binder as they became teammates again. Joking about recognising him, the Portuguese rider said: “2027 teammate… I think I know the guy.” Oliveira added that Binder is “Skinny, fast, super strong on braking,” and welcomed him to the BMW Motorrad squad: “Brad, welcome to the BMW Motorrad squad.” In the same social-media exchange, Ducati’s Iker Lecuona wrote: “Welcome mate.” BMW also asked four of their South African racers—including endurance rider and former Moto2 ace Steven Odendaal—to send messages, with Odendaal telling Binder: “We’re looking forward to having you on the BMW M 1000 RR. See you soon, bud.”

BMW’s 2026 WSBK line-up had included Oliveira and Petrucci, but both faced difficulties adapting to the BMW M1000RR and were affected by injuries. Oliveira showed early promise on the M1000RR, posting podiums in all three races at Portimao in round two of the 2026 season, while Petrucci did not match the same level of pace.

BMW had already moved to secure Oliveira for the future, with the company confirming on September 3 that he had agreed to a new multi-year contract. Petrucci will leave after just one year, making room for Binder’s arrival.

The move was first reported in July, when it emerged that BMW had selected Binder over Moto2 frontrunner Manuel Gonzalez for the 2027 seat. While Gonzalez was previously believed to be ahead in BMW’s priorities, the manufacturer’s later decision to retain Oliveira appears to have shifted the balance. According to the reporting, BMW’s preference for Binder was influenced by his MotoGP experience, his reputation for being able to manage bikes with a distinctive “DNA” (a reference to the characteristics of the M1000RR), and his knowledge of Michelin tyres—an area that becomes especially relevant because Michelin is set to supply World Superbike tyres.

BMW’s team boss Sven Blusch said: “We are delighted to welcome Brad [Binder] to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family,” adding that what impressed the company most was Binder’s “absolute determination to start a new chapter in WorldSBK.” Blusch said Binder’s goal is “to fight for the world championship title,” and that he will first need to get accustomed to the BMW M1000 RR and a new championship, with BMW confident he will adapt quickly. Blusch also highlighted the pairing: “With Brad and Miguel [Oliveira], two former teammates are reunited who complement each other perfectly, both in terms of their personalities and their riding styles.”

Speaking around the confirmation, Binder described the transition as a fresh start. “I’ve been running around here since 2009 pretty much, when I started in the Rookies Cup. So on one hand, it’s a little bit sad to be leaving the paddock, but also I’m really excited for a new challenge,” he said. Binder added: “But it’s going to be a new adventure. Something fresh again. Start from zero. I’m excited for a new challenge.” He also reflected on his long association with KTM, saying he has been in the same place “now for a while,” and that seven seasons in MotoGP have been “fun.”

Binder will spend the remainder of 2026 in MotoGP, with the South African currently 13th in the championship and sitting on a best grand prix finish of seventh this season. He acknowledged the timing of the switch, saying: “I’m really excited to start that [new] adventure. However, we’ve got another half a season here. It’s going to be my last, so I better enjoy it. And hopefully, have some good days.”

On the prospect of racing alongside Oliveira again, Binder said the familiarity should help. “I’d have to sit and count how many times we’ve been team-mates!” he said. “He’s a really cool dude, and I always enjoy racing alongside him. I think our riding styles are also quite similar, so it makes it a little bit easier for the guys building the bikes, too.”

Tyres are expected to be a major talking point in the move. Binder will arrive as Michelin begins its first season as the WorldSBK tyre supplier, and he said the change will still require adaptation. “I think the bikes are completely different to start with, so I think there’s going to be a lot to adapt to regardless [of the tyres],” he said. “I think it can maybe help. I’ve got a bit of experience on them now, but I don’t know how similar they’re going to be to our GP tyres. But yeah, it’s going to be a cool adjustment, and let’s see how we stack up on the other side.”

Binder’s KTM exit comes as KTM has moved for Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez, leaving Binder without a seat. In the 2021-22 KTM works MotoGP period, Binder outperformed Oliveira in both seasons together, finishing in the top six in back-to-back years while Oliveira placed 14th and then 10th. Binder scored 339 points across the two seasons compared to Oliveira’s 243, and while Oliveira took more podiums (five vs four), Binder’s overall results were stronger—part of the context behind Oliveira’s later move to WSBK and Binder’s own path to BMW.