KTM All Geared Up After Buriram Test

Pedro Acosta leads KTM’s charge in sixth as the Austrian manufacturer finalizes its 2026 MotoGP package and shifts focus to the season opener in Thailand.

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Pre-season testing is done. Data has been gathered, parts have been evaluated, and now it’s time to go racing.

After two hot and intense days at the Chang International Circuit, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 leave Thailand feeling prepared and realistic ahead of the 2026 MotoGP opener at the same venue next weekend.

Leading the charge was Pedro Acosta, who placed sixth overall and just three tenths off the fastest lap of the test. Solid, consistent, and competitive, exactly the kind of platform KTM wanted heading into Round 1.

Acosta Sets the Benchmark for KTM

Acosta’s Saturday time attack delivered a spot comfortably inside the top six, hovering near KTM’s internal target of the top five. More importantly, he backed it up with a full race simulation in the punishing Thai heat.

“Quite happy,” was his verdict after completing both sprint-style and long-distance runs. He tested every available option on the RC16 before homologation and came away optimistic.

The headline wasn’t just speed, it was control. KTM focused heavily on aerodynamic and chassis tweaks, as well as maximizing Michelin tire performance in extreme temperatures. For Acosta, it all added up to a promising final rehearsal.

Binder Finds a Strong Base

On the other side of the factory garage, Brad Binder ended the test in 12th but left encouraged.

KTM “threw a lot of parts at the bike,” as Binder put it, including a major set-up switch that unlocked nearly a second of lap time compared to earlier runs. More crucially, his race simulation showed improved tire durability, a known weak spot at Buriram last season.

Binder believes the 2026 package already feels like a step forward from 2025, particularly over longer distances.

Tech3 Focused on Race Trim

At Red Bull KTM Tech3, the approach was slightly different. The priority wasn’t headline lap times, it was understanding race behavior.

Maverick Viñales finished 15th but reported strong consistency in Sprint simulation runs. Just as important, his shoulder injury troubles appear fully behind him, allowing him to ride without limitation.

Enea Bastianini placed 18th after a more difficult Thailand test compared to Malaysia, but he highlighted progress with the new chassis, a component he believes will make him more competitive across the season. Having more track references compared to last year is also helping him accelerate adaptation.

Final Checks Before Homologation

Buriram marked the last opportunity for KTM to finalize aerodynamic and chassis specifications before the homologation cut-off. According to Team Manager Aki Ajo, the emphasis wasn’t just performance gains but improving working methods and extracting more stopping power, an area riders consistently push to refine.

Technical Director Sebastian Risse confirmed the plan from Sepang carried through smoothly in Thailand. After evaluating major upgrades in Malaysia, the focus here shifted toward tuning, race pace, and tire management, particularly vital at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

And on that front, KTM believe they’ve made meaningful progress compared to 2025.

Eyes on Round One

Testing across Malaysia and Thailand has been about one thing: preparation. No bold declarations. No exaggerated expectations. Just work.

The 2026 season now begins at Buriram before heading to Brazil and then the United States before March is out. Twenty-two Grands Prix await but first comes the real test.

For KTM, the message is simple: development phase complete. Race mode activated.