Danilo Petrucci casts doubt over his future, revealing that the financial demands placed on riders have eroded the ‘s appeal.
The Italian rider, currently weighing a return to MotoAmerica with BMW, described the current state of as demoralizing, particularly criticizing the dominance and the expectation for riders to pay to race at the world level.
Speaking on the eve of the Cremona event, Petrucci outlined the crossroads he faces. “BMW asked me to race and act as a test rider,” he confirmed, adding that a crucial discussion with team representative Alberto Vergani will determine his next move. “I’d like to stay involved with BMW, help develop the bike, and if the opportunity arises to race in America, I’d be happy. But I’m not desperate to find a ride,” he stated plainly.
Petrucci highlighted the stark contrast between BMW’s current MotoAmerica machine and his Superbike from four years ago. “That Ducati was at the end of its cycle-it was fast, but the cycle was closing. The BMW today is similar in that you have to push extremes; focusing on acceleration means sacrificing braking, and vice versa. It’s a classic ‘short blanket’ problem,” he explained. He also noted the significant difference in tyres, with Dunlops offering a more balanced performance compared to Pirellis, requiring adaptation from riders.
On the state of World Superbike, Petrucci was blunt: “There’s been Ducati supremacy this year, and it looks like the other bikes aren’t competitive. That discourages riders from joining. Moreover, when paying to race becomes the norm in a , it loses its meaning.” His criticism questions the sustainability of the current model and its attractiveness to top talents.
Petrucci also sees potential in the MotoAmerica series, where BMW and Yamaha are battling for the title-two manufacturers that struggle at the back in . “It’s strange how competitive BMW is over there compared to here,” he remarked. He emphasized his desire to improve communication and technical support between the European and American teams to strengthen BMW’s chances.
Confirming his dual role prospects, Petrucci said, “They want me involved with BMW because they value my ability to set up the bike. This year has been tough with rushed decisions, but now we need to find the right direction and deliver results, starting here in Cremona.”
When asked to rate his chances of in America from zero to 100, Petrucci gave a measured “50.” His comments expose the complex reality riders face balancing career ambition, financial demands, and competitive prospects. The coming days will be decisive for Petrux’s future, as he weighs between continuing as a key BMW tester or rejoining the race grid across the Atlantic.