Dani Pedrosa and the Grands Prix are normally over for good. A situation that the Spaniard affirms loud and clear, and in particular to his employer KTM for three years, which he serves so well on the test tracks. However, the latter still keeps the idea in mind, particularly at the moment. Here's why …
At KTM, we entered the big leagues in 2020. Mean by this that all that remains isAprilia to benefit from the concession points of the regulations and therefore to be able to use its registered drivers during tests. A new status deserved by podiums and victories which oblige us to realign the sights on certain points of the project RC16. Thus, the engine will have to last longer because the annual allowance will be less. And the tests will be reserved for the test pilots only. These are Rock et Pedrosa and are also intended to replace an injured holder or to respond to mobilization via the “wild card”. Gold, the Finn is injured and unavailable while the Spaniard does not want to hear about a Grand Prix. KTM would therefore be without coverage in the event of a hard blow...
The Finn is out of racing after an accident during an ice race with his broken tibia and fibula. Meanwhile, the three-time world champion Dani Pedrosa has stated so far that he refuses to participate in another MotoGP race. It means that KTM currently lacks a replacement driver if one of the four starters is absent due to injury or a positive Covid-19 test.
Mike leitner knows this more than anyone since he serves as “Race Manager” at KTM. And he knows well Pedrosa for having been his chief mechanic in the 250cc and MotoGP world championships from 2004 to the end of 2014. He says: “ Kallio is injured, it's true. But if a pilot is needed, there will always be solutions. In any case, we hope we won't need Dani to race. It's clear anyway. But I mean, if there is absolutely no other way, you can talk to Dani. But for now, these are hypothetical questions ».
KTM will consider a wildcard in the second half of the season
« We are no longer a concessionary team and are therefore allowed to contest a maximum of three wildcard races per year " remember Leitner. “ This is why, when it comes to wildcard entries, we have to consider what makes the most sense for our MotoGP project. We're more likely to use these three entries once we have our 2022 race bike ready to go. We have more chances of going wildcard in the second part of the season » reveals Leitner on speedweek.
Pedrosa, 35, is in his third season as a MotoGP test rider with KTM. He stopped his career in 2018. The KTM Factory Racing team will field in 2021 the winners in 2020 which are Brad Binder which came to fruition in Brno and Miguel Oliveira to the two productions in Spielberg-2 and Portimão. Danilo Petrucci et Iker Lecuona will ride for Tech3-KTM. Finally, Mika Kallio at 38 years old, unlike Pedrosa, has not hidden his desire to participate in the Grand Prix of Finland, his homeland, which is on the calendar for a great first on the Kimyring.
