Mike Leitner will no longer be the conductor of the KTM troops in MotoGP in 2022. If, within the brand, and between the parties, we agreed on a consensual discourse that does not reveal any feeling of disavowal, the change in the organization with the arrival of Guidotti does not sound like a promotion. The one who is now a consultant for the brand defends his 2021 results, as if to better date.
At KTM, we remain hungry after this 2021 season which we would have hoped for better based on the end of the journey experienced in 2020. But the results are as follows: in 2021, KTM only reached four podiums in MotoGP and there were eight in 2020. In the World Drivers' Championship Brad Binder came 6th and Pol Espargaro was fifth in 2021. In the World Team Championship Tech3 came eleventh and last instead of 7th the previous year, Red Bull KTM moved from 3rd to 6th in the team standings, and KTM also regressed in the world championship of brands: 5th instead of 4. Only Aprilia was beaten.
Has this general situation sounded the death knell of the era Leitner ? Perhaps not, because the latter defends himself by first recalling this: “ we won three races last year and two this season. Suzuki left empty-handed for victories in 2021 ". One last remark which opens onto an interesting comparison: “ in 2021, it was found that virtually no manufacturer achieved stability across the 18 Grands Prix. This consistency was very, very difficult to achieve » says Leitner who nevertheless notes: “ Ducati took a leap forward in the final third of the season. But Ducati had more riders. With them, someone else was always fast. Suzuki has a very good bike, they have very good riders. Nevertheless, they have not won a race in 2021 ».
Mike Leitner: “ the Ducati was the most balanced bike of the whole season«
It will be noted that even at Yamaha , all drivers, except the world champion Fabio Quartararo, did not meet expectations this year: Viñales, Morbidelli, Rossi, replacement driver Crutchlow and finally Dovizioso were not decisive, far from it.
Leitner ends on speedweek : " Overall, it must be clearly stated that the Ducati was the most balanced bike of the entire season, and with several riders too. At Yamaha, only Fabio dominated. At Honda and Suzuki, things went up and down, just like us. So many little things need to happen in a Sunday class if you want to get the result you want. It's first class, it's not that easy ».
