KTM has shown some encouraging signs so far in 2025, with the Austrian manufacturer aiming to take a further step at the Jerez Test. However, KTM is continuing to look for time, turning its focus to the long-term development of the RC16. On Monday morning, Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) became one of the first riders to head onto the circuit as the hard work continued.
Viñales crossed the line on Sunday as the top KTM rider, finishing in a strong fourth place, with teammate Bastianini in ninth. Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta crossed the line in sixth and seventh, respectively, marking the first time this season that all four KTM’s have finished inside the top 10 in a Grand Prix. Reflecting on the positive steps, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Aki Ajo shared his thoughts at the Jerez Test.
"It’s a positive weekend for us, and especially, I’d like to see it more like the last two GP. Since Austin, I feel like we’ve started to find the direction a little bit. It’s always tough in MotoGP because everyone is improving all the time, it was really tough for testing everything."
The 2025 season brings a fresh line-up for KTM, with Acosta joining Binder at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, while Viñales and Enea Bastianini step into the Red Bull KTM Tech3 pit box. Acosta is currently the top KTM rider, holding onto P10 in the World Championship standings as the Austrian brand works tirelessly to test new parts during an important day.
"When you’re testing small items and the riders need to focus on the race weekend, but we need to test at the same time, it’s not easy. That’s why today is very important; it's like cleaning the table and making things more simple and checking things that we’ve tested in the past. Also, some new items, but many new items that we’re testing now are for the future, not quick solutions, but more information to put us in the right direction."
Acosta’s 2025 campaign has had some challenges so far, with the 2023 Moto2 World Champion yet to stand on the podium in 2025. His day at the Jerez Test got off to a difficult start after a crash at Turn 10 during the morning session. Discussing the incident and looking ahead at KTM’s plan, Aki Ajo emphasised that KTM remain committed to the long-term development of their bike for the future.
"Pedro is fine, a crash in the test has never helped a test, but this happens sometimes. It’s a bit windy too, which isn’t helping too much and not from Sunday either. In any case, we have a long list and long days, and we can still do many things, and we’ll do as much as we can. You’re never able to do all that you plan for the test, you need to prioritise. As I said before, there’s a lot of things we need to try, not for short-term only but for long-term development. We’ll try to make the weekends in the future a bit more simple."
Once work stops in Jerez, KTM’s attention will turn to the French GP at Le Mans. There, they’ll look to build on their progress and take another step forward as the 2025 season continues!