Pit Beirer (KTM) on the 2027 plans: “Raul Fernandez is also a possibility”

With the official confirmation from MotoGP and the five participating manufacturers regarding the staging of the premier class from 2027 to 2031 imminent, most rider positions have been finalised, but the names of the riders for the new 850cc era are, for the time being, only tentative. It is only once the new framework agreements come into force that the riders will be officially signed – and announced.

There are set to be some changes at KTM. The departure of star rider Pedro Acosta to Ducati Lenovo is considered a certainty. The end of the partnership with Enea Bastianini is also a done deal. With runner-up in the world championship Alex Márquez and the currently highest-placed Ducati rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, two race-winners have been secured for the KTM project.

Contrary to all the rumours circulating about the two remaining seats on the KTM RC16, the situation ahead of the Brno GP remains open. This is because, although the two MotoGP veterans Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder do not have contracts extending beyond the 2026 season, they remain on the shortlist. KTM’s Head of Racing, Pit Beirer, confirmed this when asked by SPEEDWEEK.com.

Trackhouse-Aprilia-Pilot Raul Fernandez ist auch bei KTM im Gespräch

Foto: Gold and Goose

“Both Brad and Maverick could continue with us. As things stand, we still have two positions to fill and both riders are on our list.” However, it is also a fact that “Brad Attack” and “Top Gun” are not the only ones on the list. At least one other established MotoGP rider is in the running for the job: Raul Fernandez. Pit Beirer confirms: “In the current situation, we also need to talk to Raul. Not only because we’ve already celebrated many successes together, but also because he consistently delivers very strong performances in MotoGP.”

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A look back: Fernandez won two Moto3 races with KTM Ajo, finished as Moto2 runner-up with eight victories, and moved up to the premier class with Tech3 in 2022. His debut year, however, proved disappointing, and Fernandez joined the Aprilia customer team.

In 2025, after a long dry spell, his breakthrough in the premier class finally came. Following his first victory, the 25-year-old from Madrid has continued to perform consistently throughout the current season. Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix – which also left Fernández as an innocent victim of a crash – he was sixth in the World Championship standings. This means that Fernández, the highest-placed rider in the World Championship standings, is currently without any contract options on the table.

Alongside Fernández, KTM is also keeping an eye on Moto2 stars, particularly Senna Agius, but also World Championship frontrunner Manuel González – meaning both Intact GP riders have the potential to make the step up into the new MotoGP era. However, in recent discussions between KTM and Tech3, it was agreed that a line-up comprising one experienced rider and one rookie is the preferred option.

Brad Binder: Es kann auch bei KTM weitergehen

Foto: Gold and Goose

Both Brad Binder and Maverick Viñales are aware of the reality of the situation, but see a chance of staying on. “BB33” in Brno: “My future hasn’t been decided yet.”

The situation is more complex for Viñales. Just a year ago the driving force behind the KTM project, the Catalan has been hampered by a shoulder injury. Several attempts at a comeback have failed. The situation is correspondingly tense. Viñales: “Of course I’m under pressure. The situation with my shoulder is making things difficult for me. Whenever I push hard, the pain comes back – and that’s not a good state of affairs. You can’t be competitive here if your body isn’t playing ball. It’s tough because I’m only a few tenths off the pace.”

Maverick Vinales: Zukunft bleibt ungewiss

Foto: Gold and Goose

At KTM, there’s no cause for panic – as all the other top-tier MotoGP riders are no longer available for 2027. Nevertheless, it’s important to make at least one more decision soon, as Pit Beirer revealed: “After the Brno GP, we’d like to have one of the two positions sorted.”

The Czech Grand Prix as a career litmus test. As is so often the case in professional sport, this coming weekend’s races are also about securing a new works contract and, at the same time, the potential departure of at least one MotoGP winner.

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