Pit Beirer: Honda Closing the Gap but Has Not Overtaken KTM

Pit Beirer insists it is no surprise to see Honda closing the performance gap in MotoGP, citing the Japanese manufacturer’s significantly larger budget, but stresses that it has not overtaken KTM despite a difficult 2025 season for the Austrian brand.

The relationship between Honda and KTM has long been strained. Tensions date back to the early Moto3 era, when Honda accused KTM of circumventing price-cap regulations, and later escalated ahead of KTM’s MotoGP debut in 2017, when a former KTM CEO publicly labelled HRC as its “most hated rival”. While open conflict has eased in recent years, opportunities to trade pointed remarks are rarely missed.

Honda made notable progress in 2025 by fully exploiting concession regulations, allowing it to introduce continuous updates throughout the season. That progress was reflected in a wet-weather victory at the French Grand Prix and three additional podium finishes in dry conditions. As a result, Honda ended the season just 87 points behind third-placed KTM in the constructors’ championship and successfully lifted itself out of the lowest concession ranking.

KTM, by contrast, endured a challenging campaign that extended its MotoGP winless streak to three full seasons. The RC16 showed flashes of competitiveness during a year Beirer described as one of two halves, but ultimately failed to deliver a race victory.

Speaking at the Motohall and quoted by Speedweek, Beirer addressed the growing perception that Honda is once again emerging as a major force.

“People are surprised that Honda is getting closer,” Beirer said.
“Of course they are getting closer, because they are constantly incorporating new features and have twice the budget.”

Rather than expressing concern, Beirer framed Honda’s progress as validation of KTM’s internal work under more restrictive conditions.

“It makes me all the more proud of what our people are achieving,” he added.
“Honda has closed the gap, but has by no means overtaken us.”

KTM hopes that ending the 2025 season in a more stable position will allow it to start the 2026 campaign more competitively. However, Beirer acknowledged that the engine freeze imposed on non–concession rank D manufacturers has created a structural disadvantage compared to rivals still benefiting from regulatory flexibility.

“The slight disadvantage is that Honda and Yamaha have the concessions,” Beirer explained.
“They were able to further develop their engines the whole time, while we couldn’t.”

According to Beirer, this difference in development freedom has a direct impact on performance trajectories.

“We remain stagnant, while they can open up and further develop their engines after every race,” he said.
“We, on the other hand, race for two years with the same engine, which cannot be modified.”

Beirer’s comments underline how MotoGP’s competitive balance is shaped not only by on-track performance, but also by budgets, concessions, and long-term regulatory strategy. As MotoGP heads toward 2026 and beyond, the Honda–KTM rivalry appears set to remain as intense off the track as it is on it.

What do you think, Sportikers?
Are MotoGP’s concession rules helping restore balance, or simply shifting the advantage elsewhere? Share your views in the comments below !