Marco Bezzecchi
Many of the recent rules that have been introduced to MotoGP have been under the spotlight in recent weeks, but Tech3’s new team principal, Richard Coleman, has revealed how desperate KTM are for them to introduce one major rule from Formula 1.
Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP was confirmed in July, which has brought a swathe of changes to the premier class in the process.
The media company have a goal of growing the sport to the same degree as their success in Formula 1, seemingly unbothered about whose toes they step on in the process.
Out of all of the teams on the grid, KTM seem to be the most receptive to the changes that the company are willing to bring to the premier class.
KTM chief Pit Beirer has previously expressed his openness to MotoGP sharing race weekends with F1, something that not all teams are on the same page about.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
KTM want MotoGP to introduce a cost cap, much to Honda’s dismay
After assuming the role of CEO at KTM last September, Gottfried Neumeister hinted at his desire for MotoGP to introduce a cost cap, akin to the regulations that F1 teams have had to abide by since 2021.
The topic was revisited in a recent episode of the Business of Sport podcast, where Tech3‘s new team principal, as of the 2026 season, revealed the extent to which KTM are pressuring Liberty Media to act.
When asked how the structure of MotoGP compares to F1, Richard Coleman replied, “For macroeconomic reasons, in that the manufacturers are a sort of similar size and weight, even though they’ve got certain differences.
“The problem is not quite as bad as it was in Formula 1 in terms of largess and spending and all the rest of it. But some manufacturers, including our own KTM, are already lobbying for, look, we should have a cost cap.
“Of course, turkeys don’t vote for Christmas. The Japanese have been very much underperforming for the last few years, and Honda sells 20 million plus bikes a year, so they can pretty much throw what they want at it. So, again, these things don’t happen overnight.”
There’s no doubt that the giants of the sport will continue to oppose the changes that are being proposed by Liberty Media and backed by KTM.
With the grid being split down the middle by the proposal, it remains to be seen who will end up on the winning side of the decision.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM Tech3 including the MotoGP team’s riders
Richard Coleman also highlighted that all six independent MotoGP teams are currently still profitable
As well as receiving interest in making the regulations of the sport more akin to F1, drivers from the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport have also expressed an interest in owning a premier class outfit in the future.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been tipped to buy a MotoGP team in recent weeks, with Sylvain Guintoli noting that he has heard some big numbers floating around regarding the price they will have to pay in discussions.
The F1 world champions will love what Tech3’s newest team principal had to say next.
Following a question about the profitability of MotoGP teams, Coleman replied, “So at the manufacturer teams, it’s very much more about they’ll spend money from their R&D budget from their parent companies.
“Therefore, their KPIs are a bit different in terms of you know what their profitability is or what their actual spend is, and they obviously cut that up in very different ways.
“But if you look at the six independent teams, they’re all profitable. They all make money. And that’s a very different landscape from where Formula 1 was.”
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