KTM has not only had good times during this 2022 MotoGP season. Certainly, the Mattighofen firm was able to count on a solid Miguel Oliveira, who brought back as many victories from two Grands Prix in Asia contested in the rain, and on a sparkling Brad Binder, sixth in the final ranking, with no less than 96 overtakes. in racing under his belt. But there was also the failure of the bet made on youth with the endings of the story which caused debate among Raul Fernandez and, especially, Remy Gardner. This lesson was learned in view of the recruitment made for 2023 and a promise made regarding the management of the new rookie in the family... But this commitment already raises a question for 2024.
KTM has reviewed its driver recruitment policy in its MotoGP project. To fill the box, we went shopping at Ducati with the hiring of Fabiano Sterlacchini, Francesco Guidotti and, more recently,Alberto Giribuola and Christian Pupulin. But to pilot the RC16, we put the kibosh on the mobilization of budding champions from the Austrian sector.
With Jack Miller et Pol Espargaro, we are clearly betting on experience whileAugusto Fernandez crowned with his title acquired in Moto2 prevents the average age from flying away. Meanwhile, the most caped with an orange motorcycle, either Miguel Oliveira, five-time winner with the RC16, was not retained. In fact, it is Brad Binder who now appears to be the oldest in the Mattighofen building, a knowledge of the product and the house which naturally places him, in addition to his talent, as the natural spearhead of the Austrians.
By already sparing Augusto Fernandez, KTM sends a signal to Pedro Acosta
On this quartet, the team manager Francesco Guidotti commented on speedweek : " Jack Miller will bring us experience », referring to his past Ducati. However, he adds: “ but the return of Pol Espargaró will be much more interesting for us for technical comparison. He can evaluate how much the bike has changed and he is very motivated because he wants to win ". Aleix's younger brother will also be keen to reassure himself by finding the RC16, after two seasons that were both complicated and painful at Honda.
The fourth side of the square KTM will be made up of Augusto Fernandez, who is thus rewarded with his title acquired in Moto2. A situation which, however, no longer seems as enviable as it is comfortable since the case law Remy gardner, promoted by the men of Mattighofen in the same circumstances and in the same stable a year ago. With the rest, like the end, that we know.
However, the lesson apparently carried: “ we learned that for a MotoGP newbie like Augusto Fernandez, we have to give him two years in the premier category » has already assured the CEO of the Pierer Mobility group, Stefan pierer. Certainly, but by already displaying this position, the same boss sets a date for 2024 by announcing to his other hope Peter Acosta that there will be no place in its ranks at this deadline. KTM therefore risks quickly losing the rough diamond that he revealed and that Honda would have already liked to recruit for 2023.
