Official Programme # ThaiGP 62
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
KTM colours are largely unchanged for 2026. But the factory is in bullish form going into the new season, with Motorsport Director Pit Beirer stating:“ I’ m confident we’ ll deliver.” In contrast to one year ago, when the Austrian factory was facing numerous tricky challenges, recent months have seen a return to“ normality,” according to Beirer.“ This year we have a stable budget, strong planning.”
That has allowed engineers to address the weakness of the RC16, namely an aggressive use of its rear tyre and a lack of rear grip.“ Some problems we wanted to fix, they are solved,” Beirer said confidently. Pedro Acosta was suitably impressed on his recent trip to the factory in Mattighofen.“ This year I see a big step. The general situation of the factory is not the same as one year ago. You can feel it in the faces of the people, everyone is more calm and more confident. This makes you breathe.”
A variety of new parts were evident at Sepang, with Acosta admitting he is riding“ almost a new bike.” Testing showed the young Spaniard to be fast but nowhere near the limit as a year ago.“ Generally, this KTM feels more natural,” said Acosta.“ You don ' t have to push to your 100 % to find a correct lap time. Everything is coming more easily. The first test of last year, I was already crashing like five times in two days. It’ s quite nice to have something that makes your life easier.”