Ad-free MotoGP pod: The latest on the KTM crisis
Added 2025-01-03 17:43:19 +0000 UTCMotoGP starts 2025 with huge uncertainty surrounding how long one of its most important manufacturers will be on its grid at all, as more details of KTM’s financial crisis repercussions emerged over the Christmas period.
Val Khorounzhiy, Simon Patterson and Matt Beer explain the latest developments on The Race MotoGP Podcast, from the short-term picture with pre-season testing looming to why talk of a Lewis Hamilton rescue mission might be wildly off the mark, and the potential for a ‘delay the inevitable until it’s no longer inevitable’ strategy.
Where Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales will go if there are no longer KTMs on the grid for them to ride or what KTM has become is untenable for them, how Dorna can avoid losing four bikes and exactly what it means for the MotoGP talent pipeline that KTM has been so integral to are all discussed too.
Comments
Surely the KTM "Race Team" is the perfect entity to try and attempt the new structure of team discussed at the end of this podcast i.e. selling off the racing team as an asset to create an F1 style privateer not reliant on factory support? Surely it would be a hugely attractive asset given the years of investment and rider pipeline, the sale of which would be good PR in terms of preserving local jobs. Given their geography, history with the sport, and F1 history, Red Bull would be the obvious candidate and it's difficult to imagine another stepping in if they're not interested. It's maybe far fetched but given Red Bull did the same with Honda Powertrains in F1, based on the strength of retaining the expertise and IP, could this not be replicated with acquiring the KTM "Racing Team".
Duncan Bertram
2025-01-04 10:54:32 +0000 UTCKTM's impact on the racing world feels analogous to Harley's impact on the motorcycle culture here in the states. If/when they leave the space, the void can't simply be filled by another manufacturer. It's sad, but creates an opportunity for major change and as a fan, I'll continue my support in anyway I can! One question - where do we think Triumph stand currently on entering the MotoGP lineup?
Johnny Ross
2025-01-03 18:42:14 +0000 UTC
