As the 2024 MotoGP season draws to a close, KTM’s outgoing team boss, Francesco Guidotti, has opened up about where things went wrong for the manufacturer this year. Initially, KTM were tipped to be one of Ducati’s main challengers, but despite high hopes, they couldn’t manage to secure a single race win across the entire season.

The year started with promise, especially with Brad Binder finishing fifth and Pedro Acosta securing sixth in the overall standings. Both riders were the top non-Ducati representatives, but KTM’s bike never reached the level needed to secure a race victory.

In contrast, Aprilia made significant strides, with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales both winning sprint races, and Vinales also clinching the Grand Prix victory at COTA. KTM’s performance, on the other hand, failed to live up to the expectations, particularly with Acosta’s promising start to the season that hinted at potential race wins. However, despite the optimism surrounding his early performances, Acosta did not win a race throughout the year.

“We started very well with some podiums from different riders. The expectation was high,” said Guidotti. “We started with a big target. We were pretty good until mid-season. From mid-season, we struggled a bit. We had a direction which wasn’t the best one for us.”

Guidotti pinpointed that the real turning point came after the mid-season break when KTM started to fall behind their rivals. He explained, “The main contenders made a little improvement, which made the gap even bigger. We had a moment in mid-season which was strange. It was where we lost the chance to stay near the top. The riders’ behaviour was the right one, they never gave up. The technicians never gave up. But realistically, we were not in the fight.”

While Pedro Acosta delivered a strong performance with a second-place finish in Texas, the rest of his season was plagued by inconsistency, with eight races passing without a podium. Similarly, Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez consistently lagged behind their teammates. Guidotti reflected on these struggles, saying, “We had to rewind the movie and start again.”

In the final stages of the season, KTM showed flashes of potential, with some competitive performances towards the front. However, Guidotti admitted that too many missed opportunities earlier in the year ultimately cost them. “Overall, not bad. It’s not what we want. But it’s what we have, for the moment. We missed too many chances at the start of the year, then you lose the game.”

As Guidotti prepares to step down as team boss, Aki Ajo is set to take over the reins in 2025. Guidotti explained that changes like this often bring fresh motivation, though they come at the cost of losing experience and continuity. “Normally, changes give extra motivation. During these changes, we also lose experience and a connection. But I am sure that Aki will lead the team how he knows.”

Looking ahead to 2025, KTM has made some significant changes to their rider lineup. Pedro Acosta has been promoted to the factory team, where he will join Brad Binder. The newly formed Tech3 KTM team will feature Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.

While KTM’s MotoGP prospects look promising with these changes, there are concerns on the financial side. The manufacturer has been reportedly facing significant financial difficulties, with a €3 billion debt that has forced the company into self-administration. Despite these challenges, KTM has insisted that their 2025 MotoGP plans remain unaffected, with tests scheduled to kickstart their development and ensure they are ready to make a strong start to the new season.

For KTM, the future is a mix of hope and uncertainty. The team will be looking to overcome their challenges and rebuild, with the hope that a fresh direction under new leadership will allow them to fight for race wins and championships in 2025.