Pol Espargaro reveals what KTM higher-ups have told the team about MotoGP future

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KTM’s entry into the 2025 MotoGP world championship was never really in question despite the financial crisis engulfing the Austrian brand. But their participation in 2026 and 2027 remains in doubt.

The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer has accumulated debt in the region of £2bn. They may have to withdraw from motorsport due to the associated expenses.

The KTM slogan is ‘Ready to Race’, so it’s clearly at the heart of their identity. Motorsports director Pit Beirer may be making that case behind the scenes.

Across multiple series, there are 40 riders under KTM contracts. In MotoGP, there are seven, with Tech3 duo Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini joining Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder for 2025.

Dani Pedrosa, Pol Espargaro and Jonas Folger form a three-man testing line-up. Riders and engineers can find new homes fairly easily, but the situation is naturally more precarious for the team’s mechanics and support staff.

On Tuesday, a restructuring plan for the company will go to a vote. That comes just three days before the MotoGP season begins at the Thailand Grand Prix.

Pol Espargaro says KTM will ‘continue to live’ despite financial crisis

Espargaro retired from full-time competition at the end of 2023. He spent five seasons with KTM during his career – four with the factory squad between 2017 and 2020 – and one with Tech3 in his final year.

The Spaniard is still making wildcard appearances, with his most recent appearance coming at the San Marino Grand Prix in September, where he finished 10th. Speaking to Motorsport Espana, he offered some internal insight on the KTM crisis.

The hierarchy has apparently told staff to remain calm, offering assurances that the ‘MotoGP project will continue’. He trusts that they will be true to their word.

“What the factory has told us is to be calm, that the MotoGP project will continue to live, it is still alive, and in fact everything they have promised us has been fulfilled,” he said.

“As I said, it is obviously not a pleasant situation for anyone, and everyone wants to enjoy this sport, but also for the employees in Mattighofen and around the world to be able to live off the brand. The situation has been complicated and we have handled it as well as we could.”

Stock market offers a big hint about KTM’s MotoGP future

It’s recently emerged that US hedge fund Whitebox is looking into a KTM takeover. But even this wouldn’t provide any guarantees for the racing teams.

KTM are insisting it’s business as usual, and they took a full part in MotoGP’s pre-season tests. However, their behaviour paints a concerning picture.

Acosta and Binder were subject to a media blackout in Buriram. They took part in interviews with broadcasters, but no media scrums were arranged.

The good news is that shares in KTM’s parent company are on the rise. That points to confidence among investors ahead of the vital vote next week.