Danilo Petrucci completed a one-day test on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team machine recently at Donington Park in the UK. The test was organized to assess his physical condition and race readiness following a May crash at the Most Round, with BMW using the session to determine if he could return for the Prosecco DOC UK Round in July, officials said.
The test was a critical step in evaluating Petrucci’s ability to return to racing at the Prosecco DOC UK Round scheduled for July at Donington Park, officials said. BMW and Petrucci used the session to assess whether he could endure race distances and the physical demands of riding the BMW M 1000 RR without aggravating injuries sustained in his May crash at the Autodrom Most during the Czech Round of the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK). The test marked one of Petrucci’s first full days back on a WorldSBK machine since the accident, which caused several fractures and forced him to miss subsequent rounds, according to BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team communications.
Petrucci completed the test alongside Honda HRC rider Jake Dixon, who was also recovering from injury and evaluating his readiness for the upcoming UK Round, WorldSBK officials reported.
The focus of the test was on race-preparation work rather than pure performance metrics, with BMW emphasizing that the session’s primary goal was to gauge Petrucci’s physical condition and race fitness. Final confirmation of his participation in the July event will depend on medical clearance and how his body responds in the days following the test, sources confirmed.
The Italian rider, who joined the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season after moving from Barni Ducati, has expressed his intention to return to competition at Donington Park. Petrucci has a strong track record at the British circuit, having achieved podium finishes there in previous seasons, including 2023 when he and reigning champion Jonathan Rea made “podium history,” according to WorldSBK records. His past performances at Donington have seen him consistently run at the front, making the UK Round a strategic target for his comeback.
BMW officials highlighted Petrucci’s role as a key element in the factory team’s development of the M 1000 RR and its competitiveness in the current season. The manufacturer is aiming to field both Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira together at Donington, with Oliveira also returning from injury, sources said. Restoring the full-strength factory lineup is seen as vital for BMW’s mid-season campaign.
Petrucci’s crash at Most was described by the team as “another setback” in a series of challenges, underscoring the importance of a cautious and measured return. Following the accident, Petrucci underwent a period of rest and medical treatment before gradually resuming physical training to regain strength and mobility. BMW has maintained that his health and complete recovery remain the priority before any race comeback.
The Donington test provided BMW with valuable data and feedback from one of its most experienced riders, who brings extensive knowledge from both MotoGP and WorldSBK competition. Petrucci’s return would not only allow him to resume his championship points campaign but also enhance the competitiveness of the front group in WorldSBK, where he has previously contested podiums and battled leading riders.
The Prosecco DOC UK Round represents Petrucci’s first opportunity to race since the Czech Round incident, making the outcome of the Donington test a pivotal moment in his rehabilitation. BMW’s official communications have framed the test as a decisive factor in determining his readiness to rejoin the grid, with medical clearance contingent on his physical response in the coming weeks.
Petrucci’s 2026 season with BMW began with a November test prior to the current campaign, where he started adapting to the BMW M 1000 RR. His injury at Most interrupted the team’s early plans, forcing adjustments to rider line-ups and testing schedules. A successful return at Donington would reaffirm BMW’s ambitions for the season and solidify Petrucci’s role within the factory project.
The UK Round is also significant for fans and organizers, as Petrucci’s presence adds a high-profile storyline given his reputation and past success at the circuit. His known affinity for Donington and previous statements describing racing there as a “dream” highlight the importance of this event in his recovery timeline.
