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KTM has not decided yet on what racing team they should partner with for the return to MotoGP. Even more, it looks like going full factory starts to become a perspective KTM owner favors more and more.
It's been just over two years since KTM CEO Stefan Pierer declared that the house of Mattighofen was not interested in coming back to MotoGP. However, today, Pit Beirer, the boss of KTM's Motorsport division is working hard with his team of engineers to build the new liter-class V4 machine so far codenamed RC16. A lot of progress has been made, but the even harder work is only beginning.
It is rumored that Dorna would be very happy to see Aspar teaming up with KTM for the 2017 comeback. Other racing teams KTM might consider working with in MotoGP are Avintia, Forward and Marc VDS.
On the other hand, Pierer says that KTM could decide in favor of a full-factory team, keeping everything "in the house" and being able to organize things quicker and better. He added that MotoGP is an extreme sport where reactions (from the team) must be accurate and very fast.
Still, if KTM plans to follow Suzuki's example, a very good test rider is also needed, as well as contracted riders. While no names have been mentioned yet for either job, it looks like KTM might consider Nicky Hayden, Alex De Angelis, Alex Hofmann and even Stefan Bradl as factory riders.
Mr. Beirer says that a decision will be made in the coming three to four months, possibly when the bike enters a new development phase, and possibly with the first on-track tests.
Keeping everything in the house allows faster reactions
The Austrian manufacturer has not made a firm decision as to how will the 2017 MotoGP team look like. On one hand, Dorna obviously favors having manufacturers working with independent racing teams like Aprilia is working with Gresini.It is rumored that Dorna would be very happy to see Aspar teaming up with KTM for the 2017 comeback. Other racing teams KTM might consider working with in MotoGP are Avintia, Forward and Marc VDS.
On the other hand, Pierer says that KTM could decide in favor of a full-factory team, keeping everything "in the house" and being able to organize things quicker and better. He added that MotoGP is an extreme sport where reactions (from the team) must be accurate and very fast.
Still, if KTM plans to follow Suzuki's example, a very good test rider is also needed, as well as contracted riders. While no names have been mentioned yet for either job, it looks like KTM might consider Nicky Hayden, Alex De Angelis, Alex Hofmann and even Stefan Bradl as factory riders.
Mr. Beirer says that a decision will be made in the coming three to four months, possibly when the bike enters a new development phase, and possibly with the first on-track tests.
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