KTM does not speak the language to the point that the Austrian brand spontaneously registered itself on the list of those disappointed with the return of MotoGP at Sepang. The three days of the Shakedown reserved for the test drivers and the only rookie Augusto Fernandez nevertheless foreshadowed good things for the following three days dedicated to the starters throughout the season. But nothing that was expected happened. And the team manager of the official Red Bull KTM team is the first to recognize it.
At Mattighofen, we didn't have to say it, but we decided not to hide it: the next test at Portimao will have to be the correction of the disappointment at Sepang. In short, in Malaysia, KTM missed his return to the 2023 vintage in MotoGP. On crash.net, the team manager Francesco Guidotti is clear: “ expectations were quite high “, said the Italian about the first test of the year this offseason. And he adds: “ we missed something, to be completely honest and fair. Perhaps the expectation was a little too high. I don't know ».
« In the coming weeks we must work to get the best potential out of what we have tested » the manager further specifies. “ We missed a few tenths. We did very short runs. The quantity of tires available was sufficient to develop the motorcycle. But we missed something. Also, the weather didn't help. But I'm not trying to make excuses. We work hard to give our riders the best motorcycle possible ».
KTM: “ the aero package was helpful. Engine ? Interrogation point«
But what is most striking in this approach is this admission of not knowing what really went wrong: “ It would be nice to know! The aero package was helpful. Engine ? Interrogation point. We have data, we can work on it. As always, it's a compromise. Additionally, we try to adjust riding styles ».
On the next deadline in Portimao, Guidotti outlines the planned work plan: “ we did a lot of work, both the drivers, the technicians and the mechanics, an incredible effort. Now is the time to collect information to prepare for Portimao. It will be different circumstances, it will not be hot like in Sepang. And this will be preparation for the race a few days later. The first day we will try to fix everything, the second day will be race preparation ».
We will recall the results of the KTM factory in Malaysia: Jack Miller finished 16th, 19th and 16th and Brad Binder finished 21st, 10th and 14th… Behind the GASGAS Tech3 of Pol Espargaro which thus worthily celebrated its reunion with the RC16.
