KTM is entering 2026 with a mix of determination and new challenges after a turbulent 2025 season that tested the team’s resilience. The Austrian manufacturer aims to build on the gains made in the latter part of last year, but must now navigate fresh obstacles such as regulatory changes and a competitive rider market, with contracts nearing expiration amid active negotiations. The stakes are particularly high given KTM’s focus on retaining young talent like Pedro Acosta while pushing to close the performance gap with rivals in a rapidly evolving MotoGP landscape.
Pedro Acosta’s Future with KTM at the Heart of Contract Battles
At the center of KTM’s strategy for 2026 lies the critical decision of keeping Pedro Acosta, a gifted rider eager to fully demonstrate his potential on a bike capable of winning. Motorsport Director Pit Beirer highlighted the complexities surrounding Acosta’s contract, emphasizing the need to prove KTM’s capabilities on the track before securing his commitment.
Beirer reflected on the previous season’s rollercoaster, saying,
“2025 started off uphill for us, but during the summer break we managed to take a big step forward and started fighting for the podium. That gave us a lot of confidence with an eye to the future, especially after such a difficult start to the season. Looking back , I have to thank Maverick, who was the first of the four riders to show us the way forward, and we built on that. I remember when he finished fourth at Mugello, half a second behind Bagnaia, a world champion on Ducati. I sensed the first signs that we were getting closer after a difficult start, and the other riders looked to him for new energy. I think it’s no secret that for Acosta, anything less than a win was a defeat. He tried hard and didn’t accept that we weren’t in the position to win. It took weeks to get all the parts we needed at the start of the season, so for us it was a restart halfway through the championship. We were then able to reorganize ourselves mentally and not just financially, and we saw the team come together and start to get results and fight for the podium regularly. It’s no secret that this situation was a step backwards for the MotoGP project, but we managed to get out of it and fight for the podium again. I’m proud of the team and those who stayed on board to get us to where we are now, preparing for 2026 as normal, with the parts ready for Valencia and the parts the riders want for Sepang. I can’t wait to see them back on track.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
When asked about KTM’s timing to convince Acosta, Beirer noted,
“We haven’t done enough yet because we need to prove first. Somehow, I think the end of the year gave him confidence, but he made no secret that he still expects another step on the bike. We made a very clear plan on how we’re going to face the season and how we’re going to face the Sepang test, especially. I’m quite certain the Sepang test will be important for us to show not just Pedro but all our riders what we’ve delivered over the winter. I’m confident we will deliver, we will have a good Sepang test, and from that atmosphere, we’re going to talk with our riders about the future. I don’t want to talk to them right now when they all expect a step from us, we did our homework, we need to get some good lap times in Sepang. But the feeling for the rider is important; it’s not just the lap time, it’s how they feel when they jump on the bike, if some problems we wanted to fix are solved, so that’s why I feel we have a chance to talk to Pedro about the future.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Pedro Acosta’s Rising Performance and Prospects for 2026
Acosta showed encouraging progress during the second half of last season, suggesting increasing readiness to contend at the front. Beirer expressed optimism about the young rider’s rapid development, saying,
“Yes, he’s still very young and learns quickly. With the return of Marc, we now know where the bar is, so I’m not saying we’ll go out and win right away, but I feel we’ll pick up where we left off last year.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Preparing for 2027: Balancing 2026 Competitiveness and New Regulations
Beyond the immediate goal of improving on-track results in 2026, KTM must also prepare for the technical demands of 2027, when new regulations will require manufacturers to develop an 850cc bike alongside the current model. Beirer acknowledged the added complexity this dual-focus brings but underscored KTM’s strong backing and commitment from Bajaj, their new majority owner.
He elaborated on the situation, explaining that the frozen development for 2026 will enable focused work on the 850cc bike, which has already been tested late last year. Beirer remarked,
“Everyone will have the burden of working on two bikes, and no one will back down. I don’t expect our rivals to sit back and relax in 2026 to work on the 850cc. The freeze will help us work on the new project, and the bike was already on the track in December. So the situation is not easy to manage, but we also have a lot of commitment from the new owner Bajaj. Building an 850cc bike has taken a few steps, so the commitment has been there for some time. Last year I had a terrible Christmas and couldn’t sleep at night, but this year we have a stable budget, a strong plan, and we took a break during the holidays so that everyone could recover. We are back to normal, so I am confident. We have four fantastic riders, and we talk a lot about Pedro. We think we can do better with him than we have done, and the same goes for the others. There’s Enea, who is a fantastic rider and showed us at Brno that he can be on the podium, and Binder, who brought us our first MotoGP victory. There’s more than we saw last year, but I don’t want to blame the riders; it was our platform that wasn’t wide and strong enough to allow them to be competitive.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Utilizing Test Riders to Enhance Both Current and Future Bike Projects
KTM’s test riders play a dual role in advancing the existing bike and contributing to the development of the upcoming 850cc model. Beirer outlined the complementary strengths of Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró, who contribute different perspectives on performance and handling. Pedrosa focuses on finesse and balance, while Espargaró often pushes limits with a more aggressive style. This combination helps KTM balance the bike’s responsiveness and durability under racing pressures.
On future wild card entries, Beirer stated KTM is prioritizing shorter-term goals and has no immediate plans to introduce additional race entries beyond their current lineup.
Negotiations Continue on Tech3 Partnership Amidst Broader Manufacturer Deals
The continuation of KTM’s satellite partnership with Tech3 remains a priority but is currently intertwined with the wider manufacturer contracts with Dorna, all of which face uncertainty as the sport adapts to evolving commercial terms. Beirer revealed that teams and manufacturers recently met under the MSMA umbrella to discuss these critical future arrangements.
He said,
“It is absolutely our priority, even though at the moment no manufacturer has a contract with Dorna for the near future, which is why no one is closing contracts with satellite teams. In this regard, we had an MSMA meeting today, and we all agree that the time has come. We don’t have much time left if we want to start planning for the future. As for Tech3, I spoke with Steiner last week and the desire is to stay with us, and we want them to stay. We are working on it, but it’s also a free market, so it is normal for everyone to talk to everyone. From what I understand, it’s in Dorna’s interest that no manufacturer take on more teams, so I think stability is the best thing for the championship. I think that to have a healthy project in MotoGP, you need four bikes. It’s the perfect number for reading the data and for the riders to spur each other on. So, in the next four weeks, there will be several important decisions to make.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Investing in Young Talent Across Junior Categories to Secure Future Success
KTM continues to prioritize development within its junior racing programs, securing promising riders from the Rookies Cup and collaborating closely with the Aspar and Aki Ajo teams, which are known for grooming future stars. Beirer emphasized the importance of this pipeline for long-term success and praised Aki Ajo’s role not just as a team manager but also as an expert scout for emerging talent.
He stated,
“We have several young riders under contract, from the Rookies Cup to our excellent relationship with the Aspar team and Aki Ajo’s team. We still have a very strong junior project. We still believe in the Rookies Cup, even with the change to Moto3 on the horizon, and Aki Ajo, in addition to being team manager, is also our best scout for young talent.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Clarifying CFMoto’s Role and KTM’s Ownership Stability
Rumors circulated during the winter break suggesting CFMoto might deepen its involvement in KTM’s MotoGP project or even acquire it. Beirer dispelled such notions, highlighting the strong partnership but confirming that ownership changes are not part of current plans. Bajaj remains the primary investor with a vested interest in maintaining the team’s continuity and stability.
Beirer commented,
“With CFMoto, from management to the racing department, we are friends, they are our business partners, we have had a partnership for years, and that’s why they come to Mattighofen from time to time, and the next day there is talk of a MotoGP acquisition, which is not true and has not been discussed. We enjoy working with them and are happy that they use our bikes in Moto3, but when it comes to MotoGP, we have a fantastic CEO, Neumeister, who is the right person to lead the company into the future. A lot of work has been done to repair the damage we have suffered, and all of this is also reported to Bajaj, who is a great support. At the worst moment for the company, we didn’t have a chance to talk, but it’s thanks to Bajaj that we’re still here. With their great commitment, they saved the company and gave us the chance to continue working and repair this company. They have been our partners for 18 years, and racing is not new to them, but until now, they didn’t have an active role in management. Now that the ownership has changed, they’ve become more involved and are now more like fans. We work for KTM in the Bajaj group, so at the moment we are not in danger of the MotoGP project being bought by another manufacturer.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
The Growing Presence of Investors and Its Impact on MotoGP’s Landscape
Recently, MotoGP has witnessed increased interest from external investors, a trend that Beirer sees as a significant shift from previous years. This influx, facilitated partly by Dorna’s efforts and changes such as the arrival of Liberty Media, has introduced new financial players into the paddock and team ownership.
Beirer explained,
“Obviously, it’s something new. If you had told me two years ago that there were investors interested in buying into MotoGP, I wouldn’t have believed you. The interest is there; there are strong investors who want to be part of MotoGP, and this is thanks to the fantastic work done by Dorna over the years, hence the arrival of Liberty Media, now the Tech3 transaction, and it could happen again. Choosing the right partner makes the project stronger. We are all a bit blinded by racing because we want to win and improve the bike, but sometimes we forget to look at the bigger picture. So I don’t see the arrival of other people in the paddock as a negative if they help us create a bigger platform and a bigger show. They would make the sport bigger for everyone, which would be a positive thing, even if selling 50% would also mean delegating 50% of the decisions. Until that happens, you have more freedom, but on the other hand, the right partner can make you stronger by bringing technology and sponsors to the table. Looking at F1 and then MotoGP, the only big investors putting money in are the five manufacturers; the others come and do their business, small or large. So if there were a less expensive way for manufacturers to do more business, we would be open and interested.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
Technology Debates and the Sport’s Direction into 2027
Reflecting on the previous season’s racing spectacle, Beirer voiced concerns over the technological devices affecting competition, especially aerodynamics and ride-height systems. He sees these technologies as factors increasing costs and limiting the riders’ ability to influence race outcomes directly.
Beirer stated,
“My opinion is no secret, we were against aerodynamics and ride-height devices, we all think it has made the sport more expensive and taken away space for riders to make a difference. The bikes are faster, braking distances have been reduced, cornering is better, everything has improved, so the space for the rider has been reduced. Therefore, I think we could have some interesting races with a little less technology, and for 2027, we will make some of these changes that will give the riders back the tools they need.”
– Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director
The Path Forward: Preparing the Team and Riders for an Intense 2026 Campaign
As KTM prepares to face the 2026 MotoGP season with a reinvigorated yet anxious mindset, they balance the urgency of closing the performance gap with the drive to keep key riders motivated. The return of Marc Márquez adds a new benchmark for the team, raising standards and expectations. KTM’s strategic focus on technical development, rider growth, and securing essential partnerships like Tech3 will be pivotal in navigating a complex landscape shaped by regulatory changes and eager competitors.
With Bajaj’s strong financial backing and a clear vision for both short-term improvements and long-term growth, KTM aims to convert last year’s ups and downs into consistent podium finishes and renewed competitiveness. The upcoming Sepang winter test will be critical in showcasing the team’s progress and setting the tone for KTM’s challenging but hopeful campaign ahead.
