KTM Allowed to Fix Faulty MotoGP Engine After Rivals' U-turn

KTM has finally received the green light from MotoGP manufacturers to open the sealed engines of its RC16, following a change of heart from rivals who previously blocked the repair attempt. The decision prioritizes rider safety, especially after the heavy crash involving Pedro Acosta in Barcelona.

As Autosport revealed in mid-July, KTM formally requested permission from the other manufacturers through the MSMA and IRTA to open the engines of its four MotoGP bikes to replace a part causing the RC16 to stall. This issue has repeatedly plagued Acosta during the 2026 season, leading to a massive accident at the Catalan GP.

Initially, KTM's request did not receive unanimous approval; sporting director Pit Beirer indicated that only Aprilia supported the move. However, after the summer break, the remaining manufacturers granted consent, citing rider safety as the primary concern. KTM confirmed the news ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

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"We confirm that we have received the necessary approval to proceed with the corrective measures related to the technical issue we have been managing," a KTM statement read. "Our objective is to implement these measures as soon as possible. For Silverstone, we will continue with the provisional solutions currently in place."

KTM currently sits in Group C under the concession system. MotoGP regulations stipulate that each rider has eight engines for the season, and these must remain sealed unless competitors agree otherwise. With approval granted, the engine-opening procedure must be supervised by a championship technical official.

Two weeks from now, before the Aragon GP, KTM engineers will be able to unseal the engines in the presence of an IRTA technical official, who will verify the replaced part and reseal the engine. This avoids the penalty of starting from pitlane that would come with introducing new engines into the pool.

Previously, to mitigate the issue affecting Acosta, KTM limited the revs on all available power units. This reportedly impacted the performance of its riders. From Aragon onward, they expect to run engines at full power with improved reliability, provided all goes well.