Jack Miller’s ‘natural landing place’ emerges after BMW sign Toprak Razgatlioglu’s WSBK replacement

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BMW have announced the signing of Danilo Petrucci to be the new leader of their World Superbikes team when Toprak Razgatlioglu moves to MotoGP with Pramac.

The German brand have been scouring the market to find their next No1 rider since Yamaha confirmed the signing of Razgatlioglu on a two-year factory MotoGP contract in June. He will join the Japanese squad’s satellite team, Pramac, to finally move over to the prototype class.

Razgatlioglu might even leave World Superbikes as a three-time champion in the production bike class. The 28-year-old leads the 2025 WSBK standings from Ducati star Nicolo Bulega by 26 points. Razgatlioglu won the 2021 WSBK title for Yamaha, plus the 2024 title for BMW.

Petrucci will now take over the BMW that Razgatlioglu is currently piloting to the top of the WSBK standings when the Turkish ace heads to Pramac. BMW have signed Petrucci to leave the satellite Ducati team Barni Racing, with whom the 34-year-old sits third in the standings.

BMW signing Danilo Petrucci may pave a path for Jack Miller to join Yamaha’s WSBK team

BMW signing Petrucci to replace the MotoGP-bound Razgatlioglu may even pave a path for one of the current Pramac riders to move to World Superbikes in 2026. Yamaha are still yet to decide which of Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira will stay at Pramac for the 2026 campaign.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Toprak Razgatlioglu from net worth to nickname

Barni Racing are now looking at signing six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea to replace Petrucci, with the Northern Irishman’s future at Yamaha uncertain, according to The Race. Rea may be the next domino to fall which eventually sends Miller or Oliveira to WSBK.

Yamaha’s World Superbikes team are seen as a ‘natural landing place’ for Miller or Oliveira, depending on which rider the Japanese brand decides to keep in MotoGP at Pramac. Miller is out of contract at the end of 2025, but Oliveira’s works contract includes a release clause.

World Superbikes is not Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira’s priority for the 2026 season

Managing director Paolo Pavesio will decide Miller and Oliveira’s futures with Yamaha by the end of August, as they wait to learn who will partner with Razgatlioglu at Pramac in 2026. It is not entirely unlikely, however, that Miller could replace Alex Rins in Yamaha’s works team.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife

Yamaha would have to reach an agreement with Rins to terminate his contract for the 2026 MotoGP season or find a new role for the Spaniard for Miller to move up from Pramac. That is why a move to Yamaha’s World Superbikes team is now likely with Rea potentially leaving.

World Superbikes is not Miller or Oliveira’s priority, though, as they both fight to stay on the MotoGP grid. Even if a place on the premier class grid is not on the cards, Oliveira will try to stay in the paddock as a test rider – possibly replacing Cal Crutchlow in Yamaha’s test team.