Redding to make BMW debut next month, ‘Van Der Mark a bit aggressive’

Following his last two WorldSBK races for Ducati, Scott Redding already has a test with BMW lined-up for the middle of December. 

The test will be a private one for the former MotoGP and BSB rider as he looks to make early progress on the M 1000 RR ahead of 2022. 

"It will be the middle of December. We’re looking at getting out on the new bike," said Redding 

"It’s important for me to hang up the Ducati leathers, put the new suit on and go test the new bike. 

"I don’t want to go into the off-season thinking what does it feel like, what is this… I want to have some easy days of riding to help me understand, then push for a couple of days to see what we maybe could and need to improve. 

"But at least it will give me the feeling to go away and train with a good focus."

Redding will join current BMW rider Michael Van Der Mark inside the factory team next season - will be his third different team-mate in as many years. 

After spending last season with the recently retired Chaz Davies and 2021 with Michael Rinaldi, Redding will be alongside the most ‘aggressive’ of the three on-track, something Redding highlighted when asked about his new team-mate.

Redding added: “Van Der Mark seems pretty okay, a bit aggressive on circuit, but off-track he seems like a nice guy. 

"I speak to him sometimes which is quite easy. The thing is, it’s two big riders which is good for the project. But at the end he’s just a team-mate, someone I need to try and beat." 

Although Redding wasn’t able to finish his season off with a victory in Mandalika, a third in race one along with P2 in race two, means the former Ducati rider finished third overall - 62 points down on new world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.