Here's some news we didn't expect. After a 2020 season legitimately considered a success, KTM is looking far ahead in its RC16 ambition by admitting the prospect of a third satellite team. Sports director Pit Beirer speaks openly about it. Even if it's not quite tomorrow, it shows that appetite comes with eating among Austrians...
What if tomorrow KTM had as many motorcycles in MotoGP which Ducati ? Or six, which would mean a new allied team. A perspective that the partner Tech3 undoubtedly indirectly encouraged since the French, this season, brought back two victories with Miguel Oliveira, against one, but also the first, to the factory structure thanks to its rookie Brad Binder.
On the waves of speedweek, Pete Beirer, previously the director of KTM Motorsport, declared: “ as soon as we can say that KTM is finally established with the factory team and Tech3 customer team in the MotoGP category and has reached the top, we will discuss the possibility of equipping a second MotoGP customer team ».
If the message is clear, it is also refined as follows: “ If anyone is interested, we will of course offer our motorcycles. But right now, it's not the time to discuss something like that. We took another big step forward in MotoGP in 2020 as we won three races. We must first confirm this success next year ».
However, the dynamic underway is good: “ after two years, the staff handling this project is well established. The material is there, the suppliers are used to the quantities delivered. If I now have to make it clear to everyone involved that we will need a third more MotoGP hardware in the future, then everyone will be at the limit again. We want to take advantage of the situation for a moment and move forward with the current dimension ».
But does this mean that KTM could equip a third team from 2022? “ It probably won't work sooner "Comments Pete Beirer which therefore does not exclude a third team for 2022. “ For now, though, it's definitely not up for discussion », he repeats. “IThere are no requests for this either ". It will be recalled that Gresini has already ensured its presence on the starting grid until 2026, but no longer with Aprilia in his box.
KTM would be “happy to get a call from Valentino anytime”
« It is clear from our side that we will continue with our #1 Tech3 customer team ", confirmed Pete Beirer. “ But at some point we will wonder if we can manage a third shift if there are more demands. Until there is demand, we are in the realm of speculation. Dorna wants each of the six manufacturers to equip a customer team. It would therefore be counterproductive for a manufacturer to have three teams »
In addition to Gresini, Petronas could theoretically come close to KTM. But there is also another name… “ We would be happy to receive a call from Valentino at any time ", admits Beirer. After all, the winner of 115 Grands Prix had KTMs in his box for six years… “ But preferably not before 2022 or 2023 », concludes the former vice-champion of 250 cc motocross.
We will not forget that Suzuki is looking for its first satellite team, still evolving with its only two motorcycles in MotoGP. Which did not prevent the Hamamatsu manufacturer from winning the drivers' title with Joan Mir this season.
