Amid rumours of Pierer Mobility’s financial crisis, Hervé Poncharal, head of KTM’s satellite Tech3 team, has made it clear that preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are continuing as usual. Despite the most recent estimates placing Pierer Industrie AG’s debts at €1.8 billion, Poncharal assures that KTM’s racing department will not be affected by the group’s judicial restructuring.
“For 2025, everything is confirmed,” Poncharal told GPOne.com. “In Barcelona, during the last Grand Prix, I had a meeting with Hupert Trunkenpolz, Pit Beirer and Carmelo Ezpeleta: there is a plan and it will be respected. According to the information I have, the Racing Department will not be affected by the financial difficulties of the Pierer group.” In addition, the Frenchman explained that the usual winter preparation work is being carried out and that the assembly days for the bikes for the end of the month are confirmed.
Despite the financial crisis facing Pierer Mobility, KTM Racing GmbH is not part of the restructuring process, but as Poncharal indicated, the group’s economic situation will have an impact on all divisions. KTM’s racing department is reportedly still working as normal, albeit under stricter cost management.
“Preparation for the private MotoGP tests at Jerez is continuing, and the 2025 season will take place within the currently agreed budgets,” Poncharal added. Confidence has also been expressed by some members close to the KTM riders that support for the MotoGP project will continue without significant changes. However, some members of the paddock have warned that the financial situation may not be fully clarified until a vote on the proposed restructuring plan, scheduled for February 25, is held.
The restructuring of Pierer Mobility could lead to further losses, including necessary write-offs and staff cuts, which could affect the group’s ability to finance expensive motorsport activities. This is a matter of concern within the paddock, with some questioning whether banks and creditors will continue to support KTM’s costly motorsport activities.
To insulate the MotoGP project from cost-cutting and ensure its long-term future, some suggest that an outside investor could take control of KTM Racing GmbH. Red Bull, given its close relationship with KTM, could be the ideal choice. They already collaborate on the development of the RC16’s aerodynamics and have F1 engineers who could build the carbon fibre chassis, as well as Red Bull Powertrains, which could contribute to MotoGP’s most powerful engine.
Although this possibility sounds like an attractive solution, for now it remains speculation. Red Bull Racing, when asked about the situation, has limited itself to saying that it has no comment on the matter. The first creditors’ meeting to discuss KTM’s restructuring plans is scheduled for December 20, and it could define the future of the company and its involvement in motorcycling.
KTM’s future in MotoGP is being delicately balanced between financial challenges and commitment to motorsport. In the meantime, Hervé Poncharal and his team are still working on preparing for the 2025 season, confident that cost cuts will not affect performance on track. However, the impact of Pierer Mobility’s financial crisis could be a determining factor in the decisions to be made in the coming months. Everything is at stake, and the upcoming events in December and February could be crucial for KTM’s future in MotoGP.
