The 2026 MotoGP season has gained momentum this week with the official presentation of the colors, partners, and objectives of the Red Bull KTM for the new championship. The brand is completing its tenth year in the World Championship and has revealed the updated design of the KTM RC16, which will be used by the duo formed by Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder in the factory team, as well as Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales in the Red Bull KTM Tech3. The MotoGP is experiencing its last season before the regulatory change scheduled for 2027, which reinforces the symbolism of the new project.
KTM highlighted that in 2026, it intends to raise the level of competitiveness and work in parallel on the development of the future generation of motorcycles. The Austrians emphasized that the campaign will be guided by numbers and planning, from the hundredths on the clock to the weeks of testing and preparation for the future of MotoGP. The team also recalled that Acosta finished the 2025 World Championship in fourth place, equaling the team’s best result in the category.
The presentation brought a set of curious data, such as the fact that six stages of the 2026 calendar are considered “at home” for the KTM quartet, in addition to the record audience of 3.6 million spectators in the autodromes in 2025. The team also highlighted the record maximum speed of 366.1 km/h registered by the RC16 in Mugello, a mark that can be challenged again this year.
Pedro Acosta evaluated that the work done in the second half of 2025 was essential to arrive at the new championship with great expectations. “We did good races and results, even when we were not at our best. It was very good to fight for third in the championship. We’re going for more this year and want to start well in Sepang,” said the Spaniard.
Brad Binder commented that he took advantage of a period of rest in the pre-season, but now aims for a performance leap. “MotoGP is difficult, the times are very close and each driver does it in their own way. Last year I thought too much about the bike and left my natural ability aside. I want to change that and enjoy more. I’m confident that I can take a good step,” said the South African.
Italian Enea Bastianini also evaluated that 2025 was a complicated year, but important to learn and evolve. “2026 will be different because I know the bike and the team better. I think I’ll be stronger and more motivated to fight for something important. I saw a lot of potential in the Valencia tests, I think we’re ready to run and prepared to fight,” he said.
Maverick Viñales, who will have his second year with Tech3, highlighted that the quick adaptation surprised him, despite an injury in the middle of the last season. “I had to understand a lot of things in a short time, but I managed to be competitive quickly. Now I feel a great responsibility to make this project win. When I have this type of pressure, I’m at my best. I’m ready and with a lot of energy,” he said.
Beyond the drivers, sports management members, such as Aki Ajo and Nicolas Goyon, commented that KTM ended 2025 on a high note and that the focus now is on consistency, patience, and daily evolution. KTM’s motorsport director, Pit Beirer, summarized the objectives for 2026: “We have four fantastic drivers and want to give each one what they need to perform. The team is united, the bike has evolved, and we’re ready to run.”
The MotoGP pre-season begins soon with the first official test in Sepang, while the global launch of the category takes place in Kuala Lumpur in early February. KTM sees 2026 as a year of strategic transition, but reinforces that it wants to take advantage of all the opportunities before the arrival of the new regulation in 2027.
