Pit Beirer is the sporting director of a KTM manufacturer which, with the Red Bull brand of the same nationality as him, is proud of its values and stands by its strong certainties. An explosive cocktail which is concentrated in this RC16 with unique technical choices on the MotoGP starting grid. No other brand has in fact bet on a tubular frame and WP suspensions. In exchange, the Austrians demand motivation and loyalty from the pilots. At KTM, we believe in family or not, and in this case, we don't stay there...
Pete Beirer clarified a little more the way we conceive the competition at KTM. And it starts with a direct and frank approach: “ the collective is stronger than the individual ". A whole program, but also enough to ensure solid foundations when the building shakes. So, on the eve of Italian Grand Prix, Mattighofen's troops do not present themselves as the most formidable of the squad MotoGP. We fear them less than last year, a season marked in particular by three successes, two of which were won by the French partners. Tech3.
An implication that is felt at all levels of sports policy, starting with the most unstable subject: the drivers. It is indeed not easy to retain champions who must go where success is more likely to smile on them, which inevitably leads to episodes where recognition and loyalty are undermined by interests.
A chapter of Pete Beirer here too, it is addressed in complete transparency. On Moto sprint, he says thus: “ To realize the dream of the MotoGP title, we chose a different path, building our champions at home since the Rookies Cup. In return, we ask for trust. Zarco and Martin didn't give it to us, Oliveira and Binder did ».
« We want to “create” pilots at home. But it's not easy, especially in MotoGP » he continues. “ If we “grow” a rider by growing him through Rookies Cup, Moto3 and Moto2, we end up knowing his strengths and weaknesses in depth and we can understand if he is a good fit for the company. Last year we lost Pol Espargaró and Jorge Martin himself, under contract. At this moment, we told ourselves to stop thinking about the great pilots “from outside”, and we focused on Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder ».
Pit Beirer: “Zarco is a great driver and we have great resources”
A work that is nevertheless difficult to carry out, because it is in no way a question of imposing and chaining a pilot with a concrete contract. The latter must be convinced that he is in the right place at the right time, which, given the versatility of the competition, is never really identifiable with certainty... " A contract has no value if a pilot is not comfortable » nevertheless insists Beirer who again cites examples to illustrate his point of view: “ with Johann Zarco, for example, it didn't work. We separated, he showed his worth again, because he is a great driver, and we won, because we have great resources. But together we were not effective ».
« Sometimes you have to realize this and a separation may be the right solution ". But it’s not just the French as a concrete case… “ The same thing happened with Martin: if he really didn't believe in us, he shouldn't have felt obligated to stay, we don't take time for those who don't believe in us. We do it for those who believe in us, like Miguel and Brad. We had the courage, last year during confinement, to create this kind of training for 2021, but then they became strong and they won. It is then easier to say that they are good pilots ». Pete Beirer also knows how to convey messages... In the Pramac Ducati box, there is now something to discuss.
