New MotoGP line-up: KTM boss Neumeister on the post-Pedro Acosta era

MotoGP is entering a new era in 2027: Not only will a new direction be taken on the technical front – with engines downsized from 1000 to 850 cc, restricted aerodynamics and a ban on height-adjustable suspension – but the transfer merry-go-round has also been spinning at full speed when it comes to rider line-ups.

At KTM, all four riders are being replaced. Spielberg GP winner Pedro Acosta, who finished fourth in the World Championship and was clearly the Mattighofen team’s number one, is moving to the Ducati works team to ride alongside champion Marc Márquez. Brad Binder has been unable to secure a MotoGP seat and will compete in the Superbike World Championship with the BMW works team for the next two years. After two difficult years, Enea Bastianini is moving to Trackhouse Aprilia, whilst Maverick Viñales is set to end his career at GP level.

Joining Red Bull KTM are current Ducati riders Alex Márquez (from Gresini) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (from VR46); Tech3 has signed current Honda factory rider Luca Marini and Senna Agius from the Moto2 World Championship.

KTM boss Neumeister had no objections

Can Acosta’s departure be compensated for? This is a question the management at KTM are also asking themselves. “I am very confident that we will be well positioned with the riders we have chosen,” emphasised KTM Managing Director Gottfried Neumeister. “It’s not just that they wanted to join us; we chose them too. We field more riders than any other manufacturer, from the Red Bull Rookies Cup through Moto3 and Moto2 right up to MotoGP. One of our strengths is that we help young riders get off the ground. Pedro started his career with us. He said it wasn’t about a million more or less, and that for him, as a Spaniard, it was important to beat Marc Márquez on equal terms. I had no argument against that sort of reasoning.”

Behind every great rider there’s a team.

Gottfried Neumeister

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The Austrian continued: “If Pedro didn’t have a motorbike capable of delivering such results, he wouldn’t be able to achieve them either. I will never underestimate his tireless commitment, but behind every great rider there’s a team. I believe 100 per cent in our two future riders; both can make the difference. Neither of them currently has a factory team behind them. Our consistent work will ensure our long-term success. I’m not talking about half a year or a year; we have to deliver consistently. That’s how I run things in the company too. We have to keep getting better: in execution, in analysis, always data-driven.”

KTM-Boss Gottfried Neumeister (li.) mit Ivo Schützbach

Foto: gerhard schiel