Brad Binder joins BMW for new WorldSBK chapter in 2027

South African MotoGP star Brad Binder is heading to WorldSBK after signing with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2027 season.

The 31-year-old will make his World Superbike Championship debut alongside Miguel Oliveira, reuniting with his former teammate after the pair competed together across Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.

The move brings Binder’s MotoGP career with KTM to an end after he stepped up to the premier class in 2020.

He will replace Danilo Petrucci at BMW after Petrucci and the team mutually agreed not to continue together next season.

Binder’s journey from Moto3 to MotoGP

Binder first made his mark on the international stage in 2011 before competing full-time in Moto3 between 2012 and 2016.

His breakthrough came in 2016 when he dominated the championship with seven victories and 14 podium finishes.

Binder moved to Moto2 in 2017 and established himself as a frontrunner, finishing third in 2018 before taking second place in 2019.

He recorded eight victories in the category before stepping up to MotoGP with KTM in 2020.

Brad Binder’s memorable MotoGP victories

Binder wasted little time making an impact in MotoGP.

He won the Czech Grand Prix in only his third race in the premier class.

His second and most recent MotoGP victory came at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished on slick tyres despite rain soaking the circuit.

Binder’s most recent MotoGP podium came at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.

Binder reunites with Miguel Oliveira at BMW

His switch to WorldSBK will reunite him with Oliveira, with the pair having previously been teammates at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Ajo.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Head Sven Blusch believes Binder has the determination to challenge for the WorldSBK title.

“We are delighted to welcome Brad to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family,” Blusch said.

“What particularly impresses us is his absolute determination to start a new chapter in WorldSBK. His goal is clear: he wants to fight for the World Championship title.”

He added: “With Brad and Miguel, two former teammates are reunited who complement each other perfectly, both in terms of their personalities and their riding styles. This combination has great potential.”

Binder will now swap MotoGP for WorldSBK in 2027 as he begins the next stage of his international racing career with BMW.

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