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KTM is desperately searching for an extra team after exercising its option on Pedro Acosta, guaranteeing him a place in MotoGP in 2024. With Brad Binder and Jack Miller firmly in the factory team, the Mattighofen-based company has only the two seats in the GASGAS Tech3 team left to place the current contender for the Moto2 title; the reigning champion of the middle class Augusto Fernandez; and Pol Espargaró, ready to return after missing the entire first part of the season due to his bad crash in Portimao.
It's a tricky situation, but it could have easily been resolved if Dorna had granted the Austrian manufacturer the slots vacated by Suzuki. However, as IRTA president Poncharal explained, the two places on the grid are intended for the entry of a new manufacturer and will not be granted to KTM or to another team for the creation of a new satellite team.
Despite this, Pierer Mobility AG CEO Stefan Pierer seems to be rather calm with respect to KTM's 2024 and the grid positioning of its riders. “You'll see: everything will be resolved” said Pierer in an interview with Speedweek in which he took stock of the situation, also speaking of the possibility of resolving the issue by offering Espargaró a role as test rider: “First of all, we have to give Pol the opportunity to demonstrate that he has recovered. He has been out for half a season - underlined the 66-year-old - The fact that he might be a test rider is not a problem at the moment. It depends on how Pol goes. If his performance lives up to expectations, next year he will race a full season. We have a contract with him."
A position as solid as that of Augusto Fernandez, who is certain to remain on the grid again next year: “We have already extended his contract. He already has a contract. And Pedro Acosta has one too, and we guarantee him that in 2024 he will be riding a MotoGP KTM,” Stefan pointed out.
In addition to trying to create a team with Aki Ajo, taking advantage of Suzuki's slots, it seems that KTM has tried to contact the Gresini team, without however finding an agreement.
“There are many rumours. The fact is that Pedro Acosta will be on a MotoGP KTM in 2024. Wherever he will be. And if I need an extra seat, everything will be sorted out. The Gresini team was not an option for me - the CEO clarified - The current economic situation will not make the situation any easier for private MotoGP teams. I have heard that the second Aprilia team is already in financial trouble and needs to be supported by Aprilia, but it will all work out. If something comes up on the market, we will definitely take it over. I am sure that one or two more places will become available and we will compete with all five riders”.
A team with LCR and Marc Marquez on the horizon?
In addition to economic and market issues, the performances of the Japanese teams, above all Honda, are holding sway in MotoGP. And it is precisely here that the recent rumours spread in Germany come into play, which speak of a possible partnership between the Matthighofen-based company and the LCR team.
Despite a contract that binds him to the Japanese manufacturer until the end of 2024, Lucio Cecchinello seems to have considered the possibility of prematurely terminating his agreement with Honda, to line up two KTM RC16s on the grid to be allocated, in all likelihood, to Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez.
"I'm very worried that Honda will retire too, after Suzuki" declared Pierer, without commenting directly on the rumours regarding the possible agreement with Cecchinello. “We want to be world champions one day, but signing Marquez is not our way. We build the riders ourselves, from Moto3 to Moto2 - the CEO of Pierer Mobility AG then added, entering into detail in the Marquez issue - I'm not saying it's an out-of-the-question collaboration, but it's not suitable for us".
Despite the hesitations expressed by Pierer, the operation could be completed, or at least made possible, thanks to the sponsor Red Bull, common to Marc Marquez and KTM and ready to take on the rider's fee, according to some rumours circulating in Spain.
“Stefan Pierer will not miss an opportunity to have Marquez if the costs remain manageable, because Marc has often shown in the past that he can seldom be beaten with competitive material. Brad Binder, Jack Miller and Pol Espargaró are not at the same level" a member of the Honda team told Speedweek, convinced of the feasibility of the operation.
Whether Marc is in the team or not, what is certain today is that KTM has no intention of leaving its riders without a bike and already has options on the table to field a third team in 2024.
