KTM Struggles in Motegi, Eyes Podium Finish at Mandalika

Ohana Magazine – KTM Factory Racing left Motegi with only 11 points, a result far below their expectations. The Austrian team, determined to bounce back, is now setting its sights on a strong comeback with a podium target at the upcoming Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika. Despite glimpses of promise, their overall performance in Japan raised several concerns that must be addressed quickly.

Pedro Acosta’s Strong Start but Painful Drop

Pedro Acosta began the Motegi race from the second row, showing early potential. After a solid sprint race where he secured third place, the young Spaniard made a quick push to second in the main event. However, brake problems derailed his momentum, forcing him wide and dropping him to the back. Unfortunately, he never recovered and had to settle for a disappointing 17th place finish.

Brad Binder’s Struggles Continue

Brad Binder also endured a difficult weekend in Japan. In the sprint race, he failed to score points, and the main race brought even more challenges. Starting from 17th on the grid, Binder suffered tire issues that limited his pace. Although he managed to climb up to 12th, it was far from the top-ten finish KTM had hoped for.

KTM’s Honest Evaluation of Their Performance

Team Manager Aki Ajo admitted the team’s frustration after leaving Motegi with results below expectations. He explained that KTM had already anticipated tire difficulties at the Japanese circuit, but the actual conditions proved even worse than predicted. According to him, KTM must carry out a thorough analysis to understand why their performance dropped so drastically despite promising early race positions.

Resetting Focus Toward the Mandalika Grand Prix

As the championship moves to Indonesia, KTM sees Mandalika as the perfect opportunity to reset and strike back. The team will implement adjustments to improve grip management and race consistency. Ajo emphasized that the team remains committed to reaching the podium again, ensuring that both Acosta and Binder can capitalize on Mandalika’s unique track layout. With renewed determination, KTM believes they can turn their misfortune in Motegi into motivation for a stronger performance in Indonesia.