Pit Beirer admits Brad Binder and KTM riders face ‘safety’ risk with MotoGP engine

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KTM are calling for their rival manufacturers to let them modify their MotoGP engine for safety reasons.

KTM have suffered a spate of mechanical failures in recent races, with Pedro Acosta the biggest victim. Acosta faced significant disruption in the Czechia/Netherlands back-to-back, only weeks after his bike cut out at the Catalan GP during his battle with Alex Marquez.

That sudden loss of power contributed to Marquez’s serious accident and led to calls for the KTM bikes to be sidelined. At the next race in Italy, Brad Binder stopped on track twice during practice.

What should KTM do with Maverick Vinales after his public outbursts?

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KTM boss wants an exemption from MotoGP engine freeze

KTM motorsports director Pit Beirer has admitted there is an inherent flaw in some of KTM’s engines. During the summer break, he hopes to make the necessary modifications, but this relies on the approval of the other factories.

Due to their concessions rank, KTM are subject to an engine freeze prohibiting in-season development. Because of the safety concerns, Aprilia are willing to make an exception, but there is resistance elsewhere.

“The situation is not easy, there is something wrong inside our engines,” Beirer told Sky Sports Italy. “We know that this risk still exists in some engines; we have purchased others to avoid it.

• READ MORE: Pedro Acosta says Brad Binder ‘definitely’ deserves a 2027 MotoGP ride for all his ‘effort’

“There is a problem and we have to solve it; there are engines we cannot use also for safety reasons. We must use the summer break for this. I want to thank Fabiano Sterlacchini and Massimo Rivola of Aprilia who are helping us.”

KTM are a rather isolated third in the constructors’ standings entering the summer break, too slow to consistently challenge Aprilia and Ducati but clear of Honda and Yamaha behind.

They only suffered one retirement across the two races in Germany, but Maverick Vinales pulled into the pits voluntarily, citing his physical condition.