KTM has already closed 50% of its rider line-up for the 2025 season. Brad Binder’s recent multi-year renewal and Pedro Acosta’s two-year agreement to enter MotoGP ensure the Austrian manufacturer will retain the two great talents. Binder and Acosta will almost certainly share the same garage, while progress is expected from Augusto Fernandez and Jack Miller. The former risks being left out of the premier class, while the Australian seems headed towards Honda.
KTM restarts from Binder and Acosta
Jack Miller occupies a disappointing 13th position in the MotoGP rider standings, with just 24 points in his locker, far from the 73 points that Pedro Acosta has already collected. Augusto Fernandez’s situation is even more worrying, with just 13 points in five Grands Prix and the mortifying comparison with the Spanish rookie. Sports director Pit Beirer addressed the transfer topic on the occasion of the Le Mans race, remaining by the window waiting to find out who the great Ducati exclusion will be. The name of who will join Pecco Bagnaia from the next World Championship is not yet official: on paper there are three candidates for a seat in the factory team, but reliable sources put Marc Marquez as predestined.
The Borgo Panigale manufacturer could announce the decision as early as the Mugello Grand Prix at the beginning of June. One thing is clear: riders who don’t have a chance in the factory team might consider leaving. Jorge Martin in particular has made it clear several times that only an official contract is possible for him in 2025. According to Spanish media reports, the Pierer Mobility Group has expressed interest in Martin, although it is a difficult story.
Marquez and Martin difficult goals
The MotoGP points leader raced in Moto2 for the KTM Ajo team and had a valid contract for promotion to MotoGP in 2021. However, this included a subtle release clause that was not fully met. Four years have passed since then, but they have never forgotten in Mattighofen, although the episode was resolved quietly behind the scenes. “There is movement in the pilot market, other interesting names are calling us and this makes you think. We are not yet in the aggressive phase on the bidding front, where we are having battles with Ducati or Aprilia. But it’s an exciting time“, Pit Beirer explained to Motorsport-Magazin.com.
The interesting names are those of Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin, two that would appeal to everyone at the moment. “It’s clear that at Ducati there is currently a surplus of greats who are absolutely exceptional in our sport. But we also need to be careful. With Pedro we have a real diamond in the rough on board and also Brad, who is damn strong. We have to be careful not to let too many riders attack each other on the same level to maintain an overall good atmosphere in the project. We’re obviously excited to see what’s next at Ducati“.
The past is the past…
Until last year Marc Marquez and KTM seemed very close to an agreement, also thanks to the intercession of the Red Bull brand. But the wind in MotoGP has now changed, the multiple champion from Cervera has found what he was looking for, he doesn’t even dream of changing bikes in 2025.”We have enormous respect for Marc. But I don’t think that’s a realistic option for us. I spoke to him last summer and he wanted to find a bike that he could be really competitive with. With this bike he wanted to return to the top and he succeeded. That’s why I don’t see it changing brands again. I don’t think it’s realistic for us to talk about his commitment“.
Jorge Martin’s arrival-return is equally unlikely, not only due to what happened in previous years and the friction with his manager Albert Valera. “Those who know us best know how emotional we are and that we can be sad as hell. When someone leaves us like that, we take it very personally because we put so much heart and soul into it. But Martin did everything right for his career and now he is the leader of the championship. That’s why I don’t want to speculate on Marc or Martin. That would be presumptuous. Both riders are damn strong at the moment, they ride Ducatis and have little reason to change bikes. That’s why I don’t think it’s so important to say what I think of the two riders. I really appreciate them both as brilliant racing drivers“.
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