What ‘senior figures’ at KTM are saying about their future amid potential Lewis Hamilton investment

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The future of KTM in MotoGP has been thrown into uncertainty as the manufacturer find themselves in financial turmoil.

The Austrian brand joined the premier class in 2017 with their KTM Factory Racing team, before taking over the Tech3 team from Yamaha in 2019 as their satellite outfit.

The manufacturer has since been well-established in MotoGP, with the factory team winning seven races thus far and rider Brad Binder breaking the all-time speed record in 2023 at 366.1km/h.

KTM are also heavily involved in Moto2 and Moto3, having won five championships in the latter. But heading into 2025, the manufacturer is in dire need of financial support as their existence is under threat.

‘Senior figures’ at KTM are confident the organisation is under ‘no immediate threat’ amid Lewis Hamilton interest

According to a report by The Race, KTM are reporting liabilities of three billion euros (£2.5bn) and are in the process of self-administration under Austrian law. The only way to save the company from going bust is by bringing in investment from other parties.

Team owner Pit Beirer has confirmed that KTM have been in talks with seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, with discussions said to be advancing over a potential deal.

Hamilton’s talks with KTM advancing is great news for the company and a much-needed confidence boost about their immediate future. According to The Race’s report, ‘senior figures from KTM’s MotoGP programme’ say that the organisation is under ‘no immediate threat.’

While they are confident they will be on the grid in 2025, there is ‘admitted uncertainty’ at KTM about what their programme will look like come 2027 when the new regulations come into effect, which will ultimately see more expenditure in R&D.

How will KTM’s financial woes impact them in 2025?

KTM finished second in the constructors’ standings behind Ducati in 2024, having grabbed six podiums across the season. Binder finished second at the season opener in Qatar, while Pedro Acosta grabbed five podiums for the satellite Tech3 team as he finished sixth in the standings.

Both KTM teams will boast impressive rider line-ups in 2025. Binder will retain his seat at the Factory Team, while Acosta will move from Tech3 to replace Jack Miller.

The satellite team will see Aprilia and Ducati factory riders Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini join their ranks. Vinales was the only non-Ducati rider to win a race in 2024, while Bastianini finished fourth in the standings with two wins and nine podiums.

KTM seemingly have all they need on the track to deliver the results with their strong pairings at both teams, but their financial difficulties will be weighing on them throughout the off-season.

While people within the company are confident that they can make it to the grid in 2025, they will be hoping Hamilton can strike a deal sooner rather than later to save them from uncertainty.