There is no confirmation at the moment of the supply of KTM RC16 to the Var team for 2019, but the rumor is growing very quickly, in particular according to our friend Günther Wiesinger, editor-in-chief of speedweek (subsidiary of Red Bull, historic sponsor of KTM).
Nothing is confirmed, but “ don't bet a cent that Tech 3 won't race KTMs in 2019 » warns Günther.
Last November, Stefan Pierer said “ We will be providing a MotoGP satellite team in 2019. This team will be stocked with the same equipment as the factory team, not the previous year's machines. We could take the riders out of Moto2 and give them some experience. Olive tree and Binder, that's the idea: every Moto2 rider will need a year or two to gain experience in MotoGP. If you win the Moto2 World Championship in 2018, you will participate in the 2019 MotoGP World Championship. But it can also be in the satellite team. »
“We will provide the equipment to the MotoGP satellite team and we also want to provide technicians. Only then can we get the desired input for the work. In this area we will definitely support the team, that's no problem.
“The only driver I can think of for 2019 is zarco. He won the Moto2 World Championship two years in a row with Aki Ajo after winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup on KTM. He knows KTM. If you ask me, I'll tell you straight: He's the only MotoGP rider I'm seriously considering for 2019."
Is Pierer in contact with Johann Zarco and his manager Laurent Fellon? “ Yes, of course, that's true, but he's the only one. I also clearly intend to keep Pol Espargaro for 2019. I say it frankly, he deserved it, and besides, he fits very well into our team. »
The KTM boss says he will not make an offer to Marc Márquez for 2019. No, I won't. I'm honest: Marquez is a great driver, he plays in his own league. But if he wins, Marquez wins. In the event of a defeat, my bike would be to blame… Furthermore, such a situation would be counterproductive for our junior program, which we have built with so much care. »
“We now have a successful Moto2 team with Oliveira and Binder, capable of moving to MotoGP from 2019. In the long term, Brad Binder will also become a top MotoGP rider, he is a god on the brakes, I am convinced of that on the track on the Saturday of the GP in Valencia. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a rider like Márquez and thus block our MotoGP saddles for our own offspring. »
For his part, Hervé Poncharal is fidgeting while waiting to be able to make an official announcement, while his phone is smoking and drowning in calls. “ I can't answer the question about hardware for MotoGP 2019 at the moment » he explained.
For the boss of Tech 3: “ I have already mentioned this several times: I have a lot of respect for Mr Pierer. I like entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs with visions. I tip my hat to people like Mr. Mateschitz (editor’s note: CEO of Red Bull) and Mr. Pierer » declared the Frenchman a few weeks ago, adding “ What KTM showed on the tracks in 2017 was awesome ».
Of course, KTM Motorsport director Pit Beirer cannot confirm the deal with the Tech3 team. He just smiled meaningfully: “ I do not speak French. »
A relaxed Hervé Poncharal responded today, smiling happily and almost without an accent: “ But I speak German…”
Photos: 2017 Australian GP (photo credit Marco Campelli for KTM)
Source: speedweek
