Fabiano Sterlacchini, vice president of technology for road racing at KTM, is leaving his post after negotiations for a new contract failed. After 17 years at Ducati as MotoGP technical coordinator, Sterlacchini joined KTM in June 2021.
As vice president, Sterlacchini was responsible for all road racing activities of KTM, working alongside Jens Hainbach. Their hierarchy included the CEO Stefan Pierer, the marketing director Hubert Trunkenpolz and the director of motor sports Pete Beirer.
During first free practice at Sachsenring, Beirer commented on the situation: “ it was an eventful week for us. Fabiano was at the end of his contract. Last week we had discussions. We tried to renew it. We were working on a new three-year contract with him. But we just couldn't agree on some things. For him, the distance which separated him from his home was a factor. But I don't want to use that as my main excuse. We simply couldn't agree on certain points regarding the next course of events. That's why we decided to separate. »
« Fabiano Sterlacchini leaves KTM as a friend »
Sterlacchini quits KTM on good terms, as pointed out Beirer on GP One : " he created areas in our project that we hadn't even touched on and he developed them. We took a different direction. I think our project is on a much more stable footing thanks to his contribution. We have more great people and we have found them together over the last few years. I'm happy with what he did. We don't want to go into detail about why we won't continue together, but there was no breach of contract. He was at the end of his contract and we were unable to reach an agreement for his future. Additionally, the distance from home didn't help. Overall, he leaves KTM as a friend »
Under the direction of Sterlacchini, KTM finished second behind Ducati in the MotoGP manufacturers' standings last year. However, despite the efforts, the RC16 has not won a Grand Prix since the victory of Miguel Oliveira in Buriram in 2022.
It remains to be seen whether Sterlacchini will join another team in MotoGP. In addition to Ducati and Aprilia, Yamaha could also be an option, given its Italian base.
Sterlacchini was one of many key hires for Ducati à KTM over the last few years, alongside Francesco Guidotti, Alberto Giribuola, Jack Miller et Christian Pupulin. His contribution was essential to stabilize and develop the project. KTMnMotoGP.
