Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder’s MotoGP career looks set to end after the 2026 season, so the KTM racer should now try to get Toprak Razgatlioglu’s help to join BMW’s World Superbike team.
KTM are widely expected to release Binder when his contract expires at the end of this year, and there appear to be no options elsewhere in the MotoGP paddock for the South African to adopt. Even a demotion to satellite team Tech3 appears to be beyond a long shot for him.
It is widely known in the MotoGP paddock that KTM are due to sign Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio for their 2027 factory line-up, with Pedro Acosta off to Ducati. Reports also now say that Luca Marini and Senna Agius are the leading candidates to join Tech3 for 2027.
Will Brad Binder be on the MotoGP grid in 2027?
BMW could replace Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira, as they eye Manuel Gonzalez
With Tech3 progressing in talks with Honda rider Marini and Moto2 gem Agius, it is thought that Binder’s agent has contacted Ducati’s World Superbike team to discuss the potential of him replacing Nicolo Bulega. Jeremy Debize has even contacted independent WSBK squads.
READ MORE: The best moments of Brad Binder’s MotoGP career
But a different works World Superbike ride may now be up for grabs, as GPOne reports that ‘sources’ have confirmed that BMW have not taken up their option to retain Danilo Petrucci for 2027. BMW had until June 30 to trigger their clause to retain Petrucci for a second term.
Petrucci joined BMW alongside Miguel Oliveira this season, as the German team embraced an all-new line-up after Razgatlioglu switched to MotoGP with Pramac on a factory Yamaha contract. But BMW do not think they can currently lock in keeping Petrucci for next season.
Injuries and a lack of form have left BMW chiefs wanting more time to decide whether they retain Petrucci or not. Oliveira could also potentially leave BMW after only one year, having set his sights on replacing Bulega at Ducati. But only one ride might be available at BMW in 2027, as the German team aim to convince Moto2 star Manuel Gonzalez to move to WSBK.
Brad Binder should get Toprak Razgatlioglu to help him join BMW’s World Superbike team
Would Nicolo Bulega completing an unbeaten World Superbike season eclipse Toprak Razgatlioglu’s career achievements in WSBK?
So, with BMW giving Petrucci the chance to earn another contract and Oliveira staying not off the cards amid the brand’s interest in Gonzalez, Binder ought to ask Razgatlioglu for his help as it may be the ideal destination for the South African once his MotoGP career ends.
While Michelin replacing Pirelli as World Superbike’s tyre provider from 2027 should yield a different championship to the one that Razgatlioglu dominated, the Turkish star and Binder are both renowned for utilising aggressive braking styles in WSBK and MotoGP respectively.
Razgatlioglu won back-to-back World Superbike titles with BMW in 2024 and 2025, and he even won 18 and 21 out of the 30 and 36 races respectively during those seasons. Binder’s eyes should be wide open to the idea of enjoying similar success if he were to go to BMW.
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