WorldSBK: Michael van der Mark will continue with BMW

Michael van der Mark will continue with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2023 season. The Dutch rider joined the team at the start of the 2021 season. After a relatively successful first season with BMW in 2021, 2022 has been a nightmare.

The Dutch riders second season with BMW has been hampered by injuries. So far in 2022 van der Mark has taken part in three races and has had a best result of eighth.

Despite being plagued with injuries in 2022 the German manufacturer has decided to keep hold of the Dutch rider. Once again Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark will head the BMW WorldSBK project. This will be the first time since BMW’s return to World Superbikes that

Michael van der Mark: “I am very happy in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family and pleased about the extension of our collaboration. Unfortunately, for me personally, the current season has not worked out how I had imagined so far. However, I cannot change that. It is now important to recover fully. 

“I want to get back on my BMW M 1000 RR as quickly as possible. I miss everything – the team, the bike, racing. However, all that matters is what the doctors say, and I am following their recommendations. We’ll have to see exactly when I can race again. I saw at Assen just how much potential the bike has this season. The project has made further progress since then – you could see that in the recent races, and it was confirmed by Scott’s podium last time out at Donington. I am looking forward to returning to action and doing my bit. I am sure we have a successful future together.”

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers: “We are very pleased that Michael is remaining with us. In his first season, in 2021, he adapted very well to the BMW M 1000 RR, which was initially unfamiliar to him. He confirmed this with victory at Portimão. His contribution to the development of the M RR in its first season was hugely important to our whole project. Unfortunately, Michael has been plagued by injury since the winter. However, we are confident that, when he is fit and can race again, he will soon return to his original strength on the M RR and be able to build on that. 

“Even during this recovery period, Michael has remained closely involved in the BMW family. It is excellent that he will remain an integral part of the family in the future. It was important to us to complete the contract extension before the summer break, also to express our faith in him, which allows him to focus fully on his recovery. We are looking forward to his comeback and a strong 2023 season together.”

Image from worldsbk.com