WSBK: Five things to take away from the 2021 Navarra Round

The Navarra Round effectively reset the title fight and for the first time in WorldSBK history, it’s all-square at the top after 21 races. Nothing separates Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) too is back in the mix following two victories.

The complexion of the 2021 campaign is ever-changing and the unknown territory certainly played its part. A second new venue in as many rounds, the Circuito de Navarra welcomed the paddock with plenty of question marks. Despite tests at the track, the teams were in for surprises, twists and turns.

Ebbs and flows in the championship, the wingman factor, in causa Locatelli, BMW’s tight spot and musical chairs, the headlines were as hot as the temperatures at Navarra.

All about the Rs

Fierce championship fights have been far and few between in the past seasons due to Rea’s command over WorldSBK. This year is certainly making up for that though – the title battle has never been closer.

Razgatlioglu and Rea both sit on 311 points, the Yamaha rider leading only by virtue of more full-length race wins. And they are not alone at the top anymore as Redding edged in closer. The Englishman had a phenomenal weekend at Navarra and reduced his disadvantage to only 38 points.

Redding is on a devastating run of form with seven straight podiums. Unmatched, he made up 43 points in the standings over the course of just six races. The 28-year-old has never looked stronger and is firmly back in the title mix.

It doesn’t require a huge amount of expertise to determine that those three will decide the title between themselves exclusively. But the level of dominance they display over the rest of the field is rather remarkable.

63 podiums were on offer so far this season, 47 of those were bagged by the trio. Only one other rider was able to claim race wins, that being Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) at his formidable home round at Misano.

Rea acknowledged that “the margin for error is so, so small,” with the title fight so tight. Any of Razgatlioglu, Rea and Redding could eventually walk out with the crown. It’s all to play for and there is no room for mistakes over the second half of the season.

Wingmen

The three Rs may be the protagonists of the championship fight, but the bigger picture does not end there. A number of riders are capable of throwing spanners in the race works and take points off the title contenders. Crucially, that’s were the role of teammates comes in.

Rea, Razgatlioglu and Redding would all profit from someone widening the points gap between themselves and their opponents respectively in individual outings – and who better to do that than their garage neighbours?

Looking at the past meetings, the wingman factor is where Razgatlioglu holds a major advantage. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) has become a consistent front-runner and routinely challenges for the podium. Meanwhile, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is a safe top 6 bet, but struggles to challenge at the top. Rinaldi has been off the pace disconcertingly often lately.

Every point matters with the championship as close as it is. Third – or rather fourth – party influence could prove decisive.

“It’s not just down to riders, it is down to teams to squeeze the most out of each situation. Hopefully, I can start performing a bit better and help Jonathan a bit more. That’s the target and it is going to be a close run-in at the finish.”

Alex Lowes

In causa Locatelli

Speaking about the Italian, his development has been sensational. When Locatelli declared at the start of the season that he aims to consistently challenge for podiums in the second part of the campaign, that target seemed a bit optimistic. It doesn’t anymore.

Something clicked at the Dutch Round at Assen and Locatelli has since been a consistent front-runner. He collected two podiums so far, although it should be three had it not been for a track limit penalty. The rookie continued a run of fourth-place finishes at Navarra, making it five in a row.

Locatelli hugely credits his team for the recent success, describing the garage as a “big family”. It is evident that the crew works outstandingly well together. Even across to Razgatlioglu’s side of the squad, there is an obvious collaboration. At Locatelli’s own admission, the set-up at Yamaha makes it easier for him to achieve maximum performances.

The reigning WorldSSP champion stated that his ambition is still to learn and improve in his rookie year. In light of the positive results, he guaranteed that “we will continue on this way” – it would not be surprising at all to see Locatelli frequent the podium in the second part of the season.

BMW’s tight spot

It’s not all rosy at BMW. Highlight results prove the package’s potential, but it’s lacking a final edge. Shaun Muir’s factory squad have now secured the services of Redding for the upcoming season as the missing puzzle piece. According to motorsport director Marc Bongers, Redding’s “fighting spirit and absolute will to win” is just what BMW need.

The German manufacturer attempted the rider as the final breakthrough-strategy before when signing Michael van der Mark – so far with limited success. Is it the answer this time? Current and, as it turns out, departing rider Tom Sykes is not convinced.

“If the rider could make the difference, I’d take my hat off to him,” Sykes said. He pointed out the BMW’s ongoing missing rear traction and turning that limit the performance. Occasional glimpses of brilliance are outweighed by a lack of consistency and the recent major engine upgrade still needs to be deployed properly.

However, results-wise Sykes had a positive weekend at Navarra. The Yorkshireman mastered the hot conditions, qualified on the front row and secured top six finishes in all three races.

Sykes was “pleased” with the performance but lamented ongoing struggles. He was forced to experiment with different brake pressures and different ways to open the throttle. Reaping the awards of this adaptability, he set out to “keep building on this”.

“Michael and I are both capable riders and we both have the same issues. We finished sixth in the hot conditions in Race 1. Nobody crashed in front of us, but we’re still 20 seconds from the win. I’d like to see if those 20 seconds can be fixed by purely rider alone. If the rider could make the difference on those 20 seconds today, then I’d take my hat off to him.”

Tom Sykes

Musical chairs

Redding joining SMR was not the only announcement made around the Navarra meeting. Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) is set for a return to the Ducati factory squad where he completed his debut season. The line-up was on course for the title, but a number of unforced errors cost them dearly.

Still, Bautista was Ducati’s most potent shot at championship glory in recent seasons. The joint ambition is to get the job done in 2022.

Sykes has been linked to the vacant Honda ride and he confirmed “big interest” in joining the team headed by his good friend Leon Camier. However, Sykes also did not rule out staying with BMW in a factory-supported satellite team.

Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) is another rumoured candidate for HRC. The Welshman too is close friends with Camier and they have worked together at a couple of races last season. Davies suggested huge potential in him joining the Honda garage, offering “a balance between speed and experience”. It is in the hands of HRC to decide if he is right for the job.

Leon Haslam, who currently occupies the seat, does not have a contract for next season yet. Consequentially, it is not impossible that both Sykes and Davies could find themselves on a Fireblade next year.

Rumours of departing MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci joining the grid have meanwhile died down. The Italian strongly hinted at an off-road future with KTM which would rule out a WorldSBK commitment.