Mike Leitner, former team director of the KTM MotoGP squad, has publicly addressed the significant challenges faced by the Austrian manufacturer in recent years. After his exit amid KTM’s financial restructuring efforts, Leitner, who helped build the team from the ground up, remains a keen analyst of its ongoing struggles.
With a notable background as technical director for Dani Pedrosa at Honda, Leitner earned multiple championships in the 125cc and 250cc classes before joining KTM in 2015 to launch their MotoGP involvement. His early work paid off in 2016, when he shaped a strong test squad and prepared for KTM’s official Red Bull MotoGP debut in 2017. The pinnacle came in 2020, highlighted by victories from Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, signaling KTM’s arrival as a competitive force.
Internal Friction and Leadership Changes After Initial Success
Since 2021, KTM has experienced a sharp downturn, unable to win any dry race following Oliveira’s last victory at the Catalonia Grand Prix that year. The recruitment of Fabiano Sterlacchini, formerly Ducati’s technical director, brought hope but ultimately triggered friction. Leitner explained,
“I played a significant role in bringing Sterlacchini on board to enhance our internal structures. He was well-versed in Ducati’s frameworks and brought invaluable experience; it seemed like the perfect match.”
However, conflicts between Sterlacchini’s Italian-led team and KTM’s German-speaking engineers undermined cohesion and results. This turmoil culminated in Sterlacchini and manager Francesco Guidotti being released, with Aki Ajo named team director ahead of 2025.
Challenges in Team Dynamics and Technical Restrictions
Leitner pointed to a fractured decision-making environment, highlighting that many individuals influenced rider choices, creating discomfort within the team. He also criticized the loss of technical allowances that had enabled KTM’s 2020 success, noting,
“A sixth place in 2021 held no value anymore.”
Limitations on rider input and testing opportunities have further constrained bike development, as even achieving top-five race results became a struggle.
Current Rider Lineup and Performance Outlook for 2025
KTM’s 2025 race roster features Pedro Acosta, Maverick Viñales, Brad Binder, and Enea Bastianini, all factory riders with strong potential. Despite this, after a dozen races, the team remains far from podium finishes: Acosta is seventh in standings, Viñales eleventh, Binder twelfth, and Bastianini seventeenth. Leitner acknowledged the contrast, saying,
“Compared to these standings, our results from 2020 and 2021 are merely respectable.”
He retains optimism, emphasizing the quality of KTM’s riders, recalling that Bastianini ranked fourth in last year’s world championship.
Disappointment Over Rider Changes and Unrecognized Contributions
Leitner also reflected on Jack Miller’s underwhelming impact after joining KTM in 2022, following Oliveira’s exit. He reiterated the team’s internal struggles by stating,
“A lot of discomfort existed within the team because many had a say in the riders’ decisions.”
Despite his key role, Leitner expressed frustration over a lack of recognition within KTM, declaring,
“I convinced numerous excellent technicians, many of whom I had previously worked with at HRC, to join KTM. I likely persuaded around forty individuals with international experience. I’m uncertain if anyone at KTM remembers that today.”
Leitner’s Final Reflections on KTM’s Pursuit of MotoGP Success
Looking back on KTM’s quest for victories, Leitner offered a sobering perspective about the complexities faced by manufacturers seeking dominance in MotoGP. He said,
“Back at KTM, no one truly comprehended what was required and the sacrifices necessary to win races. At one point, victories became the expectation. We believed we had to win far more often. But having decades of experience, I knew success in MotoGP was never guaranteed.”
His comments underline the harsh realities of competing at the highest level of motorcycle racing, where even bold brands like KTM must contend with steep challenges before regaining their winning ways.
