At the launch of the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team of Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, journalists were given a chance to talk to Pit Beirer, Motorsport Director of the Pierer Mobility Group, the umbrella organization which runs KTM, GASGAS, Husqvarna, and the other brands run out of KTM's Austrian headquarters.
Beirer was keen to talk about his hopes for the team and its riders, but he also gave an insight into the current state of MotoGP, and the new rules which are to be introduced from 2027 onward, as well as how the new concessions system will work for KTM.
I asked Beirer how he felt about where MotoGP is at the moment. Beirer was very positive overall, though he said KTM had concerns with the increasing pressure from 22 rounds and sprint races. "The championship I feel is great, otherwise we would not be here, and we enjoy it a lot," Beirer told us. "The sprint races came on board, it doubled the amount of races, but we really love it, because we think we give this extra to the public and the spectators to the race so early, and everybody at home watches racing on Saturday rather than a qualifying practice."
There was a clear downside to the addition of the sprint races, however. "We have to be very careful not to go over the limit, and I don't make a secret of our wishing that for the number of races, the total number of races in a season, we see a limit reached around 18 and not 22," Beirer said. "But it's a global championship, so we want to be involved, and we will not complain too much about it. But we have made it very clear that we would rather have two or three races less, but in the same format. I would not question the sprint races, I think they are really great for the sport."
Fewer rounds and more races was the secret to success, Beirer told us. "If you see most of the races, we have a big crowd coming out. I feel MotoGP is an amazing sport and we just need to continue doing the right things."
Beirer was critical of the current state of the technical rules, and was pleased that agreement was close over a set of rules for 207 which would eliminate some of the technologies which he felt were a negative factor in the sport.
"I feel that some very smart decisions have been made for the 2027 regulations," Beirer said. "Maybe for one or two ideas, we should maybe even discuss if it would make sense to make the changes even earlier. But in general I think we should take out a little bit of extreme technology that is influencing the riding style, the riding itself, to give the tools back to the rider a bit more, to decide when I brake, when I pass, how I manage the race, how I manage the front tire."
What were the changes coming in 2027? "Reducing engine capacity, getting rid of ride-height devices, limiting the aerodynamic size of the package, of the wings and such, they are all the right decisions for sure. So I feel everybody is aware what is going on and things are going in the right direction."
Having technology play a less dominant role would help promote the sport even more Beirer believes. He had high praise for the way Dorna is running MotoGP. "I think Dorna is also thinking heavily how to promote the sport even stronger. But we couldn't have a better partner than Dorna promoting our sport, so we really enjoy what we have in MotoGP, because we are also working with other promoters, we are also in many different disciplines as a manufacturer, and clearly MotoGP is one step above everything else."
Beirer was a little more evasive when it came to the question of whether the Pierer Mobility Group needed a third team and brand on the grid alongside KTM and GASGAS. More data would help, but in the end it is up to the engineers in the racing department in Mattighofen that would make the difference.
"To develop the bike and the motorcycle, it's up to your engineers and to your home base," Beirer said. "And then of course we could discuss if having a bike less or a bike more will help you more. To have data on track, yes."
But KTM had already achieved a great deal with just four bikes on the grid, Beirer pointed out. "The regulations are very clear and you need to develop a motorcycle, and I feel it's all there. I mean, we have a great plan how to succeed, and I feel with the four bikes, already we came really close to put some pressure on our friends from Bologna. I mean, if Brad finishes fourth in the championship, he had already some really strong Ducati riders behind him, and some other guys."
Whether the Pierer Mobility Group would need a third team would also depend on how the new concessions system worked, which will allow KTM extra wildcard entries and more tires for testing. I feel the concessions, we didn't ask for them, but now they are in place in the regulations. We all agreed that we accepted them, so we will not waste any energy to think about if they are good or bad for us. They are there. The MotoGP regulations are in place, the concessions are in place, now it's up to use to make the best out of it. If we think we need a third team, we need to go and get one. If we think two teams is fine, we need to leave it like it is. So really there's been a lot of talk and also polemic about it, but new season, new start, let's go."
Beirer said there had been no decision on a third team yet, put pointed out that the decision was not entirely in their own hands. Dorna has made it clear that KTM would not be given the two empty grid slots during the rest of this contract period, Carmelo Ezpeleta reiterating that to Spanish sports daily Marca recently. But KTM still had the option of approaching existing independent teams and negotiating to supply them with bikes instead of their existing manufacturer.
"We are in a process," Beirer said of the decision about a third team. "Some contracts are up, so some teams are looking for a manufacturer, but this discussion is on now. But also not that simple, because people who are happy with their partner, why do they need to change? So it's absolutely not decided in any kind of direction. But of course we listen to everybody and we are discussing."
One avenue KTM have to gather more data during the season is to make use of the six wildcard spots they have for 2024. Beirer was positive about the option, but explained that they needed to be used wisely, and divided up between their three test riders, Pol Espargaro, Dani Pedrosa, and Jonas Folger.
"We would like to be quite flexible to use the wildcards when it makes sense," Beirer said. "So of course there was talk that we will give all the six wildcards to Pol , but that was never really agreed, because it just needs to make sense for the project."
Espargaro's view of the 2024 season had also changed now that he had accepted not being a full-time rider, Beirer claimed. "Of course, it also took a while for Pol to accept the change and see his new role. But things have changed already from his side a lot, I mean, once you take the pressure of being a MotoGP rider week after week after week from your shoulders, and you can make that little step back, you also see things differently. And we are going to share the wildcards."
No decisions had been made in that regard, Beirer said. "We don't even have a plan for six wildcards. There are some tracks where we are interested, where we for sure know Dani should do a wildcard there, and Pol for sure is going to do some wildcards, because it's just great for the testing process, and the race tires that you get and having the bike together with the other race guys. But not a clear six wildcards for Pol, it will be shared. I feel more between Pol and Dani than Jonas, but whatever makes sense in the right moment. It might change so there is no master plan."
As their 'luxury tester', and the rider least keen on doing a lot of races, Dani Pedrosa would be given the choice of where to enter as a wildcard, Beirer explained. "We will give Dani for sure at a track that he likes, so we will not force him to go somewhere we he doesn't like it. So for sure it will be one of his favorite tracks. And most probably it will also be one of our test tracks that he can really prepare, get the bike ready, but also give us some answers on the parts. But no announcement yet."
There may not be an official announcement, but reading between the lines it seems likely that Pedrosa will have at least one wildcard at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. It is his favorite track, and one of KTM's designated test tracks, and a place where he had a very strong outing, finishing sixth and seventh in the sprint race and grand prix. It was also the race where he received a hero's welcome from the fans, during the fan parade. That will surely make Pedrosa want to see a return.
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