At the Malaysian MotoGP test held at Sepang Circuit, KTM introduced distinct testing programs for its two factory riders. Pedro Acosta, who finished 15th overall, concentrated on evaluating new features of his bike, while his teammate Brad Binder, finishing 13th, aimed to continue building momentum from the previous November sessions. Both riders used this early test to gauge the development of their machinery heading into the upcoming season.
Pedro Acosta’s Focus on Aerodynamics and Chassis Adjustments
Acosta spent the morning experimenting with a shortened chassis configuration, which he personally favored, though he remained open to feedback from others. In the afternoon, his work shifted primarily to aerodynamic improvements and accumulating track laps to refine the bike’s behavior. He noted the usual challenge Malaysia’s front tires posed but expressed general satisfaction, highlighting chassis progress as a positive step forward.
He elaborated:
“In the morning, I worked on the chassis configuration. It was shortened, so we’ll see what the others say but, personally, I liked it. In the afternoon, the focus was mostly on aerodynamics and racking up laps,”
Pedro said.
Regarding the ongoing aerodynamic work, Acosta added:
“As usual, Malaysia is tough on the front tires but, overall, I’m quite satisfied, especially in terms of the chassis. As for aerodynamics, we’ll continue tomorrow because there’s still work to be done.”
Challenges Faced and Tire Performance Feedback
Despite positive signs, Acosta encountered unexpected vibrations from his very first lap, a sensation previously unfamiliar to him. He acknowledged that long corners, like those on Sepang’s turn three and circuits such as Silverstone and Phillip Island, have historically been difficult for him. Still, he expressed cautious optimism about the updated chassis:
“I felt vibrations from the first lap, which I’ve never experienced before. But we always struggle in long corners like turn three or those on tracks like Silverstone or Phillip Island. Like I said, I don’t know what the other riders think, but I’m quite happy with the new chassis.”
Acosta also provided insights on tire choices during the test. He managed to complete a significant number of laps, which was encouraging given the consistent pace he maintained. However, he admitted that a definitive assessment was still premature, explaining that many riders preferred medium tires in the morning while he switched to softer tires later, limiting his ability to perform a timed attack.
He said:
“I managed to cover a lot of laps, which is a plus, considering the pace I maintained, but it’s difficult to give a definitive opinion. In the morning, many riders used the medium tires. I was only able to use them for fifteen laps before switching to the soft tires to work on the chassis. This is another reason why I wasn’t able to do a real time attack in the afternoon.”
Expectations and Realism for Upcoming Sessions
Looking ahead, Acosta clearly identified two areas for improvement: cornering ability and front-end stability. Despite some positivity surrounding KTM’s winter efforts, he maintained a grounded approach to judging their progress.
“I’d like to see improvements in cornering and front-end stability,”
he stated.
He emphasized the importance of speed as a measure of development, conceding that progress seen so far was encouraging but not yet cause for celebration:
“We’ll see. If you’re not fast, the work is worthless. Compared to winter 2025, there’s certainly been progress. However, it’s one thing to be surprised and another to be quite happy. The company has certainly worked hard to meet our requests, and they’ve actually hit the mark with the chassis. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow,”
he explained.
Regarding common race practices, Acosta noted that slipstreaming rivals during a test phase is not productive because of varying tire choices and staggered track times, which prevent clear comparisons.
“In the end, you use different tires on these occasions, and you’re on the track at different times, so it’s impossible to get a clear idea,”
he concluded.
Brad Binder Takes a Conservative Approach Ahead of Full Testing
In contrast to Acosta’s focus on new parts, Brad Binder took a more measured approach on the first day back on his MotoGP bike after the off-season. He aimed primarily to regain race pace and preserve tire life for more intensive testing in the days ahead.
“It was a decent day. It was nice to get back on a MotoGP bike after such a long winter. This morning, I tried to save some tires for the afternoon, and riding at 2’00.2 or 2’00.3 was crazy. Anyway, tomorrow will be the real start, and we’ll have more parts to test,”
the South African rider revealed.
Binder confirmed that the chassis setup remained unchanged from the previous test in Valencia, signaling that more significant developments would come during tomorrow’s session.
“For the moment, we’ve taken a conservative approach, trying to regain speed. Wednesday will be the day that gives us a better understanding of where we are. The chassis? It was the same as in Valencia,”
he disclosed.
Minimal Vibrations and Swingarm Testing Mark Binder’s Day
Unlike Acosta, Binder did not report troubling vibrations or other mechanical issues. He was hopeful that chattering problems experienced earlier might now be resolved. His eagerness to evaluate new components was clear:
“Actually, it wasn’t bad. Surprisingly, I didn’t have much chattering. Hopefully, that’s a problem of the past. I can’t wait to get back on the bike tomorrow to check the new parts.”
Binder also described his approach to swingarm testing, alternating between old and new designs to compare their performance:
“When there were two races to go at the end of last season, I adopted the new one but, today, I went back to the old one and then switched to the new one at the end to further verify the differences.”
Importance of Testing for KTM’s Upcoming Season
The Malaysian test is a critical step for KTM as they work to refine the RC16 and ensure both their factory riders are competitive. Pedro Acosta’s demand for increased speed and better handling underlines the urgency to transform winter progress into race-winning performance. Meanwhile, Brad Binder’s cautious buildup emphasizes endurance and consistency as key factors in mounting a successful campaign. With further test days planned, KTM’s ability to address the challenges reported in Sepang will likely govern their competitive prospects throughout the next MotoGP season.
