KTM is down in the MotoGP championship, struggling to keep up with the leaders. After a promising start with podiums for Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, the Austrian manufacturer encountered difficulties during the last races. At the Sachsenring, the KTM riders finished seventh, ninth and thirteenth, far from the top positions.
Debriefings at the press center revealed tense faces. Pete Beirer, director of KTM Motorsport, did not mince his words after the sprint race: “ we struggled all weekend. When we found grip on the rear wheel, it pushed the front too much. As soon as we got the front under control, we lost rear wheel grip. We are not where we should be “, he declared, adding: “ I have to defend our drivers, they are obviously missing something to do better. »
Beirer insisted that the pilots are not to blame: “ there's something that's been holding them back for a while. We did well in Qatar, in America, but recently we weren't even close to the podium. We need to do something to make drivers feel better »
KTM will not be on vacation but on the Red Bull Ring with Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró on the track but also Pedro Acosta in the pits
During the summer break, KTM plans to work intensively to resolve these issues. Pedro Acosta also took the initiative to go to Austria for a week: “ I would like to take advantage of this time to understand how things are progressing and what conclusions we can draw. I'm not looking for excuses, I'm looking for the solution »
Acosta expressed his frustration with recent performances and his desire for answers: “ one of the reasons I wanted to go to Austria was to sit down with Fabiano Sterlacchini and ask him for explanations, but he is no longer with us »
Jack Miller stressed the importance of the updates: “ we need to develop further because we use the same basic package since Misano 2023. There are areas we can work on to reconnect with the summit »
Brad Binder, last pilot KTM on the podium at the start of the season, said: “ It's been a long time since we had an update. We need a clear understanding of the direction we want to take »
According to speedweek, KTM has planned private trials with Pol Espargaro et Dani Pedrosa at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg this week, with Peter Acosta as an observer. The drivers hope that these tests will make the necessary improvements to come back strong after the summer break.
