Amidst the uncertainty surrounding their parent company, KTM has shown off an all-star rider lineup and Red Bull liveried RC16s for both the factory and Tech 3 squads

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 have unveiled their 2025 KTM RC16 motorcycles as the Austrian manufacturer gears up for its ninth year in MotoGP. The unveiling comes with high expectations as KTM fields what it claims to be its most competitive rider line-up yet, aiming to improve its modest record of seven Grand Prix wins and two Sprint victories since joining the paddock in 2017. The brand will be represented by a mix of experienced and emerging talents from Italy, Spain, and South Africa, underscoring its continued commitment to top-flight competition despite challenges off the track.

The launch coincides with broader financial difficulties faced by KTM’s parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, which has seen its financial performance come under scrutiny amid rising costs and shifting market conditions in the global motorcycle industry. These challenges, which have affected investments and operations across various subsidiaries, add stakes for KTM, as its MotoGP efforts play a key role in maintaining brand visibility and prestige on the world stage. While KTM’s technical progress has been steady, its results have not yet challenged the dominance of established manufacturers like Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of its MotoGP program in a strained fiscal environment.

Returning to the 2025 line-up, South African Brad Binder and Spain’s Pedro Acosta will ride for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, while Italy’s Enea Bastianini and Spain’s Maverick Viñales will compete under the Red Bull KTM Tech3 banner. Binder, now 29 years old, has been one of KTM’s most consistent performers, earning two MotoGP victories in his career. He’ll be entering his sixth season with the team, bringing experience and reliability to the campaign. Meanwhile, 20-year-old rising star Pedro Acosta embarks on his second season in the premier class after a rookie year that saw him secure five podium finishes and a sixth-place championship standing.

The Tech3 line-up sees KTM welcoming two high-profile new riders. Bastianini, 27, finished fourth in last year’s standings after nine podium finishes, including two victories. He has proven to be a regular threat in MotoGP, scoring podiums in all four of his seasons in the category. Viñales, at 30, brings a deeper résumé with 26 Grand Prix wins across all classes, including 10 in MotoGP, making him one of the most experienced riders in the field. Viñales has won races for Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia, and could become the only rider in GP history to take victories riding for 4 different brands should he win with KTM.

KTM’s bolstered efforts also mark the return of four KTM machines sporting Red Bull colours to the MotoGP grid, a first since 2020. Beyond its factory team, the manufacturer continues to invest in its KTM GP Academy, a development pathway for young riders aiming to rise through the ranks from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, to Moto3™, Moto2™, and eventually the premier class. Both Binder and Acosta are products of this pipeline, proving the program’s success in nurturing top-tier talent.

KTM enters the year with high hopes but remains under pressure to deliver results that justify its substantial investment in MotoGP, all while its parent company grapples with economic headwinds that could impact the long-term sustainability of its racing programs. The teams will return to the track for the upcoming IRTA tests at the Sepang International Circuit from February 5 – 7 and the Buriram International Circuit from February 12- 13, before Round 1 gets underway in earnest on February 28th at the Thai Grand Prix.

 

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “It is crazy to think that this is my sixth season in MotoGP already. To be honest 2024 was the year where I probably learnt the most. Coming into 2025 I feel that it has made me a much better rider. My goal for the season is to take what I learnt and make that step forward to fight with the guys at the front. We are not far. We finished 2nd in the Constructors championship so we have one left in front of us. When I see how hard people are working at the factory and how much energy there is behind the scenes it is clear we are going to get there.”

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “For sure, 2024 was a good year, and we still have some goals that we keep in the pocket. I learned how to control a race, and how to adapt to MotoGP. It was a dream come true coming to the factory team after being in Moto3 and Moto2. Also having Brad as a teammate and helping develop the bike will be a very good point. It will help that he has a lot of experience in the class and I think we will make a good match together. The two main important points for 2025 will be the qualifying and then the first few laps of the race. Last year we saw that we had pace to fight for podiums or wins but we were struggling during qualifying. So, these two points will be the most important things to improve during this season.”

Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “I’m very curious for this season.We have to stay calm at the start because it’s important to understand the bike and the team. But I’m motivated and I think that about the third or fourth race we can be competitive. When I tried the bike I understood all the potential and it’s impressive how you can go on the edge of the corner and how the gearbox is faster, it’s so fast. So, yeah, I’m very impressed.”

Maverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “To wear the Red Bull KTM colors feels very good. Since I’ve been a kid I’ve seen them on motocross, on racing…so, it’s a dream team for me. My first thought of the KTM RC16 was: “wow, this is a beast, it’s fast!”. I remember in Montmelo it was very fast, and this is important in the new MotoGP era, as most of the race are the first five-six laps. The first year when you go to a new bike, you need to be always concentrated, always open to new experiences. Every time you go to a new track it’s a completely different experience from the previous years so you have to have an open mentality and be very focused, so my objective is to be focused and to be able to perform at my maximum. The good thing is that as soon as I jump on the KTM it feels like home. It’s a bike that I like, that suits my riding style, entering the corner. So, this is a very important thing.”

Aki Ajo, Team Manager, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “We are enthusiastic about the season ahead of us. We have been working hard during the winter to develop our project and the RC16 to be even faster and better than last season. Our aim is high, but we are prepared to keep working hard, and it is a joy to have such skilled and dedicated people in the project, and in the company. Our motivation is high, and I believe that we have made some important progress to enhance our performance. We have also strong and experienced riders, and we are all very motivated and look forward to the action of the new 2025 season. Thank you to all the staff, partners and the management and all the people at KTM that have shown big support MotoGP project. We are ready to race.”

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager, Red Bull KTM Tech3:“The wait is finally over, and we are all really excited to launch our 2025 MotoGP season. We are back to Red Bull KTM colours, with two amazing talents, who we are all really thrilled to welcome amongst our ranks. Maverick and Enea are both extremely experienced riders, cumulating between the two of them 17 wins and over 50 podiums in MotoGP, and they will form the strongest line up Tech3 has ever had. We believe they will both be a great fit in our project, and strong assets for the brand. We are thankful to Red Bull KTM for trusting us with two brilliant riders, and we will do everything we can to take the MotoGP project to the next level.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “There have been many questions but we have been clear since the last day of the 2024 season: we are here to race and we are very serious about success in this fantastic championship that spreads motorcycling and motorcycle racing to many corners of the world. 2025 has started strongly for us with the important Dakar victory and also winning in AMA Supercross, now it is a real pleasure to present our MotoGP teams and see our bike ready to race for the ninth year in a row. Competition is such a big part of KTM’s DNA and we are committed. For the coming season and with Brad, Pedro, Enea and Maverick as well as all the experience and knowledge in the pitboxes there is a lot of positivity and adrenaline to get started. This season could be massive for us, and I hope it will be.”