The KTM MotoGP team is in a tough spot. They could drop the grid as early as 2026.
KTM Together with satellite team Tech3, they announced that they will be releasing their 2025 bike on January 30th. This will ensure their participation in this year’s World Championship.
Other than that, their future is very doubtful. The manufacturer is 2.7 billion euros (about £2.2bn) in debt.
KTM motorsport director Pete Beyer recently revealed that the company is in talks with Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton about an investment deal. The camp of the seven-time world champion has not yet responded.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could ease any KTM negotiations.can avoid sponsorship conflicts. The Bayer team had a partnership with Red Bull, while Hamilton lined up with Monster Energy before leaving Mercedes.
Without significant outside help, the team may have no choice but to withdraw from MotoGP. KTM could not even pay their workers on time At the end of last year.
Lewis Hamilton ‘has no money’ to save KTM MotoGP team
Speaking on The Race MotoGP podcast, journalist Simon Patterson said there was ‘no chance’ Hamilton could save KTM. Despite being one of the richest athletes in the world, he doesn’t have the resources to do so.
Instead, Hamilton could ask the Bayer team to leave ahead of the 2027 rule changes. It will provide the funds to keep them on the grid as a ‘remaining team’ for the next two years.
Patterson In 2009 they suggested that they could release it just like Kawasaki. After announcing their departure, they raced their bike under the name of Hayate that same year.
Hamilton’s main interest is likely to be the ‘grid points’ he dominates for 2027 rather than keeping KTM out of warranty. Then, in theory, a new manufacturer could be attracted to the sport.
“It’s no coincidence,” Patterson said. Lewis Hamilton doesn’t have KTM’s savings. He has a lot of money, but he doesn’t have the money they need to fix this problem.
“The only thing I can see Lewis Hamilton getting seriously involved in is a strong commitment not to go racing in 2027 if we’re going to see the rest of the KTM team for the next two seasons. Just like Kawasaki did in the last year of existence.
“More important than getting a foot in the door is getting grid points. He will own the grid positions going forward. That allows you to do whatever you want in 2027 and hire a new manufacturer.
Of course, while the career loss is more significant, KTM’s departure comes at arguably the worst time in the sport. In Pedro Acosta, they have welcomed a true homegrown talent to the sport.
The Spaniard produced a fantastic rookie season, scoring five podiums and his first ever pole position. If the KTM factory team drops off the grid, the other manufacturers will step in immediately.
But because they brought financial stability to F1, it seems the opposite To fail, KTM may need to take the Liberty MotoGP.. In theory, Dorna could use their compensation to save the group, and one would think they would be interested in doing so.
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