BMW ‘not pleased’ with championship position, Muir defends Redding

Following a disastrous start to the 2022 WorldSBK campaign, BMW Team Principal Shaun Muir has come to the defence of his rider Scott Redding.

Robert Jones

10 May 2022

The former BSB champion has had a nightmare start at BMW, while his former Aruba.it Ducati team leads the WorldSBK championship after two rounds.

Expected to bring BMW closer to the likes of Ducati, Kawasaki and reigning champions Yamaha, the German manufacturer has instead dropped further behind, so much so that Honda have seemingly leapfrogged their way into fourth.

While last month’s Assen round saw Redding make steps forward, it’s worth remembering that the ex-MotoGP rider scored just one point in Aragon, making it hard to do any worse.

So where has Redding struggled the most?

Traction was a big issue in Aragon whether it be with low or high fuel, and although this improved in Assen, it remains an area that needs to be addressed.

However, it’s getting off the line which has been Redding’s biggest issue according to Muir.

Speaking to WorldSBK.com: Muir said: "Scott’s struggled in one area specifically and that’s with his starts, with the clutch technology we have; we’re trying to develop that around his needs.

"Quite clearly in Superpole, he was really off the pace but when you sit back and analyse that, I don’t want to be too critical of it.

"For sure, we’re not happy with it and for sure, we were gifted three places in the final race (Assen), but considering where we came from, you sit down and say, ‘well how did the rider perform?’, I’ll defend my rider in every case.

"We were pleased with the result but no, we’re not pleased with being 15 seconds from the win, we’re not pleased with where we are in the championship, but with all facts considered, we came away from Assen feeling better than Aragon. We need to do more work but that’s what we’re targeting."

Whether it’s getting power to the ground, his starts, or qualifying, Redding and BMW remain a long way away from challenging for wins at present.

Scott Redding and Axel Bassani, Assen WorldSBK race2, 24 April

Speaking after Assen, Redding had some choice words for how his BMW machine was handling, in particular because of having too much power at his disposal.

Muir also backed Redding on that statement and added that they’ve been taking power away, with a view to adding it back when Redding is more comfortable on the bike.

Muir continued: "I think it’s quite right that Scott has made that comment but equally, Michael [Van Der Mark] has jumped on the bike at Assen, and he doesn’t have that feeling.

"He’s characterised himself on the bike over the last 12 months, so for him, it’s quite normal, with how the bike reacts with the high-revving engine we now have, whereas Scott’s never had that.

"We have been pursuing an avenue with Scott where we have been taking power away from him but with the view of bringing it back as and when it becomes a requirement. That’s something that’s very relative at the moment."

Can Redding and BMW salvage their 2022 WorldSBK campaign?

As stated above, a lot will need to change for Redding and BMW to be in contention for wins, however, that’s not to say that it can’t be a successful season.

Redding was never expected to challenge for the championship or even victories during his first season with the team, instead building a bike that can challenge in 2023 is the main aim.

For that to happen, taking advantage of the next few rounds will be crucial, as will having a healthy Michael Van Der Mark alongside him to push along the second-year project.

Michael van der Mark, Assen WorldSBK, 24 April

Although there's no guarantee, Redding and BMW should get closer as the season wears on - the factory team gradually improved as the 2021 season developed.

Upgrades to the M 1000 RR will also need to be introduced as Kawasaki have taken another step forward this season, while Ducati and Yamaha look as strong as ever.