KTM's situation in MotoGP is becoming more worrying by the day. While the Austrian manufacturer is facing major financial difficulties, strategic decisions are putting the development of its MotoGP prototypes on hold, fueling speculation about its future in the premier class. Despite assurances of commitment until 2027, uncertainty hangs over the future of the team and its riders.
KTM has decided to halt the development of its MotoGP bikes until March 2025. Thus, The prototypes that will arrive at the Sepang tests in February will be identical to those tested in BarcelonaThis stagnation risks compromising the performances of riders like Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini, who will have to deal with unchanged machines in the face of fierce competition, notably that of Ducati. But KTM said on Tuesday that crash.net that he " There will be a private test in Jerez in December ».
According to internal sources, this decision reflects an austerity strategy in response to the critical financial situation of KTM, whose parent company, Pierer Industries AG, declares debts reaching 3 billion eurosThe difficulties also affect other activities of the group, in particular the production of road motorcycles, stopped for the first months of 2025.
KTM claims that he will honor his contract with Dorna until the end of 2027, but doubts remain about the sustainability of its investment in MotoGP. The leaders, in particular Hubert Trunkenpolz et Pete Beirer, tried to reassure by declaring: " we will race in MotoGP next year and the year after. We see sport as a crucial marketing tool for the KTM brand. »
KTM Racing GmbH » is not involved in the ongoing “judicial restructuring proceedings” at KTM AG
However, this statement masks the drastic financial adjustments underway. KTM seeks to optimize its costs without directly compromising on-track performance, although the temporary halt in development raises concerns about medium-term competitiveness.
Short term, KTM benefits from the technical freeze in MotoGP, which limits engine development from 2025 until the end of 2026. This could stabilise the competition and limit the impact of budgetary constraints. However, the new rules for 2027, with a reduction in engine capacity to 850cc, will require significant investment in the development of suitable machines, a deadline that could increase financial pressures.
Faced with the uncertainty surrounding KTM, Dorna Sports is studying alternative solutions to avoid a withdrawal of the Austrian team and maintain a full grid. Among the options discussed are increased support from Red Bull, key partner of KTM, or even looking for other manufacturers like Suzuki or BMW to fill any gaps in the future.
The decisions of KTM will have a direct impact on its drivers. The arrival of Peter Acosta, a rising star of MotoGP, in a context of technical stagnation, could slow down his progress and fuel frustrations. The team Tech3, along with Viñales and Bastianini, is also at risk of suffering the consequences of this pause in development. These challenges could complicate the task for KTM, which has nevertheless lined up one of the best rider teams since entering MotoGP in 2017.
KTM finds itself at a critical juncture in its history in MotoGP. Between financial pressure and technical stagnation, its commitment to the competition is being put to the test. Although the brand has confirmed its presence in the short term, the evolution of the financial situation and the technical requirements of 2027 will determine its long-term future in the premier class. For now, KTM will have to focus on optimizing its resources and hope that the guarantees of Red Bull et Dorna will help stabilize its project.
