Rookie Leo Rammerstorfer: Praise for Uriarte, admiration for Marquez

For much of last winter, it looked as though the German-speaking racing contingent would come away empty-handed. But just a few days into 2026, Paolo Simoncelli announced the signing of Leo Rammerstorfer from near Linz. Following an injury to the Swiss rider Noah Dettwiler, the opportunity had arisen for him to join the prestigious Squadra SIC58.

A turbulent start with World Championship points

Just weeks after signing, he faced his baptism of fire on the Buriram circuit in Thailand, a track unfamiliar to all rookies. Remarkably, Rammerstorfer scored a World Championship point in his very first race on the Moto3 Honda, a bike with which he was also still largely unaccustomed. When the number 5 Honda finished 9th in qualifying at the second round in Goiânia, the rookie from Austria was the talk of the Moto3 world that day. However, at the races in South and North America, he came away with bruises rather than any further points.

It wasn’t until the wet Le Mans Grand Prix that things started to look up again – 13th place on the slippery, historic circuit in France. But that was the end of his successes. Although the rookie battled cheerfully in the field, further World Championship points – let alone any outstanding highlights – eluded the 21-year-old. At the final Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, the SIC58 rider battled fiercely with Grand Prix winner Guido Pini – and missed out on a World Championship point by a hundredth of a second.

Now 24th in the World Championship standings and having come to terms with the harsh reality of Moto3, SPEEDWEEK.com caught up with the newcomer for a chat about the first half of his debut season.

Leo Rammerstorfer on his strong debut on the overseas circuits:
“I think it actually worked in my favour that I didn’t know the circuits at the start. I had no preconceptions and no points of reference from other bikes, such as the Rookies bike. I just got on with it – and simply tried to make the most of every session.”

Lehrgeld: Heftiger Abflug beim Brasilien-GP

Foto: Gold and Goose

… on his first crashes:
“Yes – they were tough. But I was lucky not to have suffered any serious injuries. After the crash in the US, I also made some mistakes in my recovery – but I learnt from that too. So I’m trying to improve bit by bit in all areas.”

… on the switch to the Moto3 Honda:
“I didn’t know the Honda at all before and, to be honest, the difference was much greater than I’d expected. It’s not so much a question of better or worse – it’s quite simply very different. The Honda and the KTM have virtually nothing in common. And I also think that’s part of my problem on some of the tracks we’ve raced on in Europe so far. I know how to ride them on a KTM – but that doesn’t help me here. I’m still lacking a bit of experience with the Honda, but we’re on the right track and I can see improvements.”

Will die Moto3-WM trotz Druck genießen: Leo Rammerstorfer

Foto: Gold and Goose

… on his goals:
“At the start of the season, my aim was simply not to finish last. Then that was revised upwards to a place in the top 20. I’m a realist, too, and I won’t be winning any races in 2026. But I also feel that there’s a lot more in me. That’s why I’m absolutely determined to fight for a second year in the class.”

… on team-mate Casey O’Gorman:
“We definitely get on well together and have a good chat – and even though he’s not the most talkative guy, he’s a good bloke and you can have a lot of fun with him. But one thing’s for sure: he’s the one we’ve got to beat.”

… and other strong Moto3 riders:
“I’m impressed by Brian Uriarte. He’s already a very well-rounded rider. We know each other a bit better from the past and from training sessions together. But I also think it’s not a good idea to admire riders in your own class. I only do that with Marc Márquez. As far as motorbikes go, he’s in a league of his own for me.”

… on the pressure to perform as a World Championship rider:
“It’s definitely higher now. Compared to the rookies, things are different, partly because there’s more interest. For me, it’s normal; you have to deal with it. In any case, I always try to enjoy every session and remind myself why I’m here.”

… on KTM as an Austrian.
“I’m not thinking about it too much at the moment. I’m in a very good team and I want to improve. But yes – you could certainly say that it would be a dream to compete in the World Championship one day on a KTM with a main sponsor from Austria.”

Paolo Simoncelli holte Leo Rammerstorfer spät in die Weltmeisterschaft

Foto: SIC58 Squadra Corse