“ GENERALLY, THIS KTM FEELS MORE NATURAL. YOU DON ' T HAVE TO PUSH TO YOUR 100 % TO FIND A CORRECT LAP TIME.”
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KTM colours are largely unchanged for 2026, but the factory enters the new season with far more confidence. Motorsport Director Pit Beirer said the team has returned to“ normality” after a difficult period one year ago.“ This year we have a stable budget, strong planning,” Beirer explained. That stability has allowed engineers to address the RC16’ s biggest weakness, namely heavy rear tyre usage and a lack of rear grip.“ Some problems we wanted to fix, they are solved,” he added confidently.
Pedro Acosta also noticed the improved atmosphere during a recent visit to the factory in Mattighofen.“ This year I see a big step,” Acosta said.“ The general situation of the factory is not the same than one year ago. You can feel it in the faces of the people, everyone is more calm and more confident. This makes you breathe.” Several new parts appeared during testing at Sepang International Circuit, with Acosta admitting he is riding“ almost a new bike.”
Testing also showed a calmer and more manageable RC16.“ Generally, this KTM feels more natural,” Acosta explained.“ You don ' t have to push to your 100 % to find a correct lap time. Everything is coming more easily.” The Spaniard contrasted that with last year’ s pre season test, where he crashed repeatedly while searching for pace. In Acosta’ s hands, the RC16 still looks like a competitive package, although KTM still has ground to make up on rivals such as Aprilia and Ducati.
Rakouská značka KTM, která v roce 2025 skončila třetí v celkovém pořadí konstruktérů, ale na vítězství ve Velké ceně čekala od roku 2022, si ponechá Brada Bindera a Pedra Acostu, kteří mají nyní s MotoGP bohaté zkušenosti. „ El Tiburon“ stále čeká na své první vítězství v MotoGP, ale sezónu zahájil vítězstvím ve sprintu Tissot v Thajsku a je stálým uchazečem o umístění na stupních vítězů. Sestava má všechny předpoklady k úspěchu a míří vysoko, protože rakouská značka už dlouho neokusila vítězství ve Velké ceně. V nejnapínavějším sportu na světě jsou důležité malé krůčky a KTM na tom pracuje, na rozdíl od předchozích strategií, kdy byla v testech zavedena řada nových dílů. Klíčová je ale také kontinuita a Pedro Acosta a Brad Binder ji mají na své straně.
“ GENERALLY, THIS KTM FEELS MORE NATURAL. YOU DON ' T HAVE TO PUSH TO YOUR 100 % TO FIND A CORRECT LAP TIME.”
Official Programme Automotodrom Brno