KTM needs to accelerate the RC16’s development or risk falling even more behind in the second half of the season. The company has been winless since 2022 and is currently battling to even place inside the top five.
KTM’s run of three straight podium results in the early part of the season now seems like a distant memory. Considering where KTM is currently positioned in the rankings, it is almost unbelievable to realize that just four months ago, Brad Binder was able to finish just 1.239 seconds behind race winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) in Qatar.
Consider the German GP from the previous two weeks. A week after Binder had claimed the chequered flag sixteen seconds down in sixth, GasGas rider Pedro Acosta, who was in the top RC16, ended only seventh, more over fourteen seconds behind the leader. In fact, a KTM rider has only been able to place in the top five in a grand prix once, and that was after Acosta finished second at the Americas GP in April. Reading those numbers is really depressing.
At the Sachsenring, factory rider Jack Miller made a moving discovery that might help to understand why KTM’s form has abruptly vanished.
He declared, “We have the same stuff as Misano last year, so we are on the same package in terms of base stuff.”
“There will always be a roof, and in order to advance the roof and make improvements, you must grow and enhance things.
We’ve been using a comparable chassis since Misano last year, when the carbon fiber frame was originally added, but we haven’t changed anything about it.
“On the bike, there are certain areas we can improve to try to raise the bar.”
Naturally, KTM rocked the MotoGP paddock in September of last year when test rider Dani Pedrosa unveiled a carbon fiber chassis at Misano.
Later that month, Miller and Binder made the move to the same frame, which was a significant step forward for the Austrian manufacturer in its attempt to catch up to the all-conquering Ducatis.
However, the fact that the KTM was unable to make any improvements to that chassis in the ensuing ten months indicates just how far behind it has fallen in the fight for development since then. It’s a significant shift for the Pierer Mobility Group to go from providing new technologies to not releasing any significant improvements.
Naturally, putting new components on the bike every weekend doesn’t guarantee a performance improvement. A systematic plan is what KTM needs, as Binder clarified over the Sachsenring weekend.
He stated, “There hasn’t been an update in a long time.” Above all, we must a clear knowledge of the route we should take.
This past weekend [at Sachsenring], we spent a lot of time fiddling with the balances. In the end, we tried some new things that don’t really make sense, but they improve the bike a little.
“Obviously, before we can bring the parts to help us, we need to understand things a little bit better.”
In order to provide a clear path forward, KTM also needs to know precisely where the RC16 is falling short of its competitors. Although the bike’s engine has shown to be dependable and swift, there are several other aspects that need more attention.
Miller stated, “We need a little bit more turning and a little bit more grip.” We should be fine at [peak] speed because the engine and aero package are quite robust. On the front end of the bike, we are able to comprehend our position.
“All we need to do is get a little bit more turning and grip on both the front and rear tires to accelerate and brake later, apply the gas earlier, and hopefully carry more speed into the corners.”
Following the German Grand Prix, Acosta purchased a “one-way ticket” to Austria in order to meet with KTM’s top executives, gain insight into the inner workings of the MotoGP program, and assist the brand in addressing the RC16’s shortcomings.
Paul Trevathan, the technical chief, and Miguel Olivenza, the head of suspensions, are traveling with him.
Fabiano Sterlacchini, KTM’s head of technology, was the person Acosta had originally intended to talk with while in Austria. However, following the Sachsenring weekend, Gigi Dall’Igna’s former right-hand man parted ways with the team.
The Spaniard will, meanwhile, be keeping himself occupied by holding a number of meetings with other members of the factory team. Acosta’s visit is significant not just for KTM but also for himself, since it may enable him to determine whether he is at the appropriate spot to challenge for a MotoGP championship soon.
He said, “When I get here, I’m going to meet everyone and see what happens on the first day, how everything works, and what each one does.”
“Why do things get done [in a particular way] when I go to sleep and I understand all the roles and who is in charge in one place and who is in charge in another, and who is the head of the chassis and the one on the other side.” Since it’s so simple to demand, inquire about, or criticize things about which I have no idea how they’re going at the present.
“In order to determine which course needs to be followed, I would rather first ascertain how things are going, why certain things are done or not, and who gives power to one or takes it away from the other.”
It is fitting that KTM has extended an early contract offer to Acosta, who is a very skilled rider, for the factory squad starting in 2025. The brand will benefit greatly from the inclusion of race winners Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales, particularly because they take the place of Miller and Augusto Fernandez, two weak members of the lineup.
However, Binder claims that Ducati is in a “league of its own,” thus KTM needs to focus on releasing significant modifications to make sure their bike can match its riding prowess.
