P1racenews AI automatic summary:
When Kawasaki faced big financial penalties for breaking its MotoGP deal, it found a way to temporarily stay on the grid in disguise. Is that KTM’s future too?
On the brink of bankruptcy, KTM’s MotoGP project faces potential shutdown by the end of the 2025 season, risking the disappearance of up to four bikes from the grid. However, there is a precedent from the past that offers a possibility to keep the KTMs in the competition for at least one more season. The exact situation regarding KTM’s future in MotoGP remains uncertain, with a commitment to withdraw in the future due to the company’s massive debt, but the timeline for this exit is unclear. KTM is obliged to stay in the championship until at least the end of 2026, facing significant financial penalties if they withdraw early. Similar to Kawasaki’s approach in 2008, KTM may opt to remain on the grid economically to fulfill their contractual obligations and avoid hefty penalties. Despite the challenges, KTM could potentially adopt a strategy similar to Kawasaki by restructuring their team and continuing to compete in MotoGP with limited resources.
