Here to stay? KTM intends to be a part of grand prix racing for many years to come despite months of financial uncertainty, according to KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer. Upon presenting his MotoGP lineup for 2025, the German sounded not only confident on the factory’s chances of survival amid an exhaustive self-administration process, but also on its continued presence in the Grand Prix paddock.
“It’s been a rough winter,” Beirer conceded, referencing KTM’s bankruptcy proceedings, which started in November of 2024.
While KTM riders and team managers were forbidden to talk about the troubled Austrian factory’s financial situation, Beirer spoke openly of the situation and the company’s long-term future.
Principal among the talking points was the date February 25. That’s when Austrian creditors will be given the choice of accepting or rejecting the proposals for the future plans that KTM presents from the proceedings. While a great deal rests on that date, Beirer sounded more than confident that they can press ahead.
“I still believe February 25 will go well for us,” Beirer said. “It was a difficult period for the whole company. I can guarantee we have a super plan going forward.”
And does racing factor into those plans? “Motorsport is a major part of our company. It’s not just our passion—it’s part of our business model. [It’s] not a question of one year of racing or two years … we want to have KTM here forever and this includes the race department,” said Beirer.
It’s been a nervy winter for all involved as KTM management has worked on slashing budgets to streamline its entire operation. In racing terms, that included reducing the number of its factory-backed riders, as well as the representation of GasGas and Husqvarna, two KTM-owned brands, which were present in the three GP categories.
“You won’t see two hospitalities in the paddock; there’ll be just one,” Beirer said of some of the cost-cutting measures implemented. “The main thing happened already last summer. We reduced the global number of factory riders. We had 12, and behind each one there were two or three staff that was reduced. We lost entire teams around the globe. We started to focus more on orange to prove we don’t need to do this with three brands. We could save a lot of money in some parts but we did not stop developing our motorcycle.”
With regards to bike development, Beirer feels the factory was fortunate in that it had already developed its 2025 engine before the crisis really took hold in November. “We’ve been a bit lucky in the whole situation. If you want to have bikes ready to race in Sepang, you cannot start to order material in December. Of course, you cannot have this kind of difficulties for 12 months and imagine you have a great bike. But it’s all okay. The bike development happened before. Then you have the people in-house who still continued working.”
And what of the 2027 rule change, as well as Moto2 and Moto3? Beirer insisted building a new 850cc machine for two years’ time remains in the factory’s thinking. “After February 25 we [will be] clearer about the long-term future. But we are already working on the ’27 motorcycle. That’s part of the planning.” And on the junior classes he added, “We want to stay in there. Reduction will maybe happen in quantity but not in the top bikes.”
The German also sounded bullish on their chances in 2025. “On paper it’s the strongest lineup we’ve ever had. I’m excited to have this experience on board. It’s not like we have one rookie; they are four super professional guys. They have everything to perform this year. The team is there, the bike is there, and we’re going to go for it.”
It’s all a far cry from December, when Austrian creditor AKV stated KTM would likely have to pull out of Grand Prix racing. Quizzed on that report, Beirer said, “I’m not angry at those people, because they simply stated factually, here is the amount we spend on racing. Of course, it’s logical that if you are not racing, then you can save that entire amount. Whether that’s a good idea or not, that is what all of the conversations that we have been having in the weeks afterwards [were about]. Fortunately, we could persuade everyone that it wouldn’t be good to actually stop racing.”
Click here for all the latest MotoGP news.
Click here for all the latest motorcycle Industry News on Cycle News.
