At KTM, in this MotoGP season, we are not exactly reviewing our plans but we are adapting them to the situation after seven races. A year ago, the Austrian brand seemed ready to field a third team when it noted that Ducati increased its workforce to eight machines while its rider sector was in full development, notably with Raul Fernandez and Pedro Acosta. Since then, we seem to have come back to earth in Mattighoffen, showing that there was no lack of pragmatism in the management of files...
In an interview at speedweek, the sports director of KTM looked at the cases of its budding champions incubating in its sector and the possibility of a third force on the starting grid, alongside the factory structure and the partner Tech3. In both cases, it seems that the Austrians understand that the best could be the enemy of the good...
Let's start with the possibility of a third team, which the announced withdrawal of Suzuki seems to promise as an opportunity. Maybe but Pete Beirer is no longer as open on the subject as it was a year ago. It must be said that, in this particular case, Dorna will focus primarily on the integration of a manufacturer. It must then be a real project, and not a nominee developing an already known motorcycle. By this, mean that a GASGAS disguised as a KTM RC16 will not be allowed into the race. Pete Beirer explains it this way: Dorna has communicated that the two vacant places will not be occupied by any satellite team from 2023. Only a factory team is possible. In MotoGP this means you will have to do your own full development ».
He adds : " we have not yet covered these details, at which point of the regulations we would be considered a new manufacturer with GAGAS. But at the moment we do not intend to put in place the capabilities for further development of new MotoGP. So I wouldn't put our company first now when it comes to taking back the two spots from Suzuki. Dorna researches and negotiates with other manufacturers ". An approach which will have this consequence: “ it will not be easy to fill these two places. Because as a new MotoGP manufacturer you need two to three years of preparation before such a step is even possible ».
"Une équipe KTM MotoGP avec deux débutants ne sera plus la vraie solution à l’avenir"
MotoGP will therefore have a workforce of 22 machines instead of 24 for a while longer. And it’s also one less outlet for young pilots. On the blossoming of talents, on which KTM works in all categories, the brand has also realigned the focus with in particular this 2022 experience lived at Tech3 which will set a precedent… “ In Sergio Garcia and Pedro Acosta we have two Spanish talents who will eventually progress to the MotoGP World Championship. We are currently seeing that, despite all the motivation of our MotoGP Academy with the junior teams of Aki Ajo, Tech3, etc., promoting young talents is a very expensive project. And when you're lined up at Tech3 with two rookies like Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez and things aren't going very well, you have a hard time defining the direction. ».
From this observation comes this decision: “ having two MotoGP rookies in a team is a mammoth task that we underestimated to be honest. This is demonstrated this season. Therefore, a KTM MotoGP team with two beginners will no longer be the real solution in the future ". To understand what damage a rapid and simultaneous promotion in the same place can do, we must refer to the words of the Tech3 boss Hervé Poncharal who suffers with and for its current pilots…
Public chat super7moto it reads as follows: “ When you're like Remy and Raul in Moto2 last year, finishing first and second, you're used to winning races, being on the podium, being in the front row. So it's a bit shocking. They knew it was going to be difficult, but they also said to themselves 'I'm going to do well and I'm going to be with the best ". Yes, but… " This is not the case, which is quite difficult for them and also for us. I always say that a fast driver is a happy driver and a positive driver. My job, just like my team's job, is to keep them positive, to keep them having strong morale, still believing in themselves and understanding that sometimes being 15th or 14th is a great result. It's not easy to digest when you're champion ».
The Frenchman finishes: “ the only pressure they have is to learn, to do as many laps as possible, to try not to fall because you have to finish the race and see the checkered flag to have the experience of a race , in the MotoGP category which is quite different from the other categories, try to learn with two motorbikes, try to learn with a lot more people around you. This is what you need to do in your first season. Sometimes they are too impatient, but I understand. They are young and they are fast. They're chasing glory and being 17th, there's not much glory. It's difficult for them to understand this. There is a learning process. No matter how good and talented you are, you have to go through this learning process. If you don't do it, you will lose your rookie season ».
