KTM Gets Green Light to Fix Faulty MotoGP Engine, Ending Crisis

KTM has finally received the green light from MotoGP manufacturers to open the sealed engines of its RC16 and replace a faulty component that has been causing bikes to stop. The decision is a relief for the Austrian squad, which had previously seen its repair attempt blocked by rival manufacturers.

As revealed by Motorsport.com in mid-July, KTM formally requested permission from the other manufacturers through the MSMA and IRTA to open the engines of its four bikes. This step was necessary to replace a part that has caused the bike to stop—a recurring issue for Pedro Acosta this season, including a huge crash in Barcelona.

Initially, KTM did not receive the required approval, with sporting director Pit Beirer indicating that only Aprilia had agreed. However, after the summer break, the rest of the manufacturers gave the green light from the standpoint of rider safety.

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"We confirm that we have received the necessary approval to proceed with the corrective measures related to the technical matter we have been managing. Our objective is to implement these measures as soon as possible. In the case of Silverstone, we will continue with the provisional solutions currently in place," was KTM's response this Friday when Motorsport.com asked how the situation stood.

KTM is currently in Group C under the Concession system. As such, according to MotoGP regulations, each KTM rider has eight engines available to complete the season, and these engines must be sealed and may be neither modified nor opened without the approval of the rest of the competitors. With this approval, the engine-opening operation can be conducted under the supervision of a championship technical official, as per technical regulations. Thus, two weeks from now, the week before the Aragon GP, KTM's engineers will be able to open the sealed engines in the presence of an IRTA technical official, who will verify which part is being replaced and then reseal the engine.

By doing so, KTM avoids having to introduce new engines into the rotation, which would carry the penalty of starting from the pitlane each time an engine is changed. In an attempt to mitigate the problem that has affected Acosta's bike, KTM limited the revs of all available power units, which supposedly affected the performance of its riders. From Aragon onwards, they will once again be able to have engines offering full power and operating reliability, provided everything goes well.