MotoGP tester Dani Pedrosa has tasted blood again and wants to compete against the competition in his role. Company boss Stefan Pierer would even give the Spaniard more responsibility.
At KTM, the future was discussed openly during the home race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, and the talks continued this week at the headquarters in Mattighofen and Munderfing. The drivers for the period from 2025 onwards have long been confirmed: Brad Binder, Pedro Acosta, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales will be on the four RC16s.
Now, following the departure of the controversial Italian technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini, the focus is on the detailed structure of the in-house project, with which the Mattighofen-based company has been a permanent fixture in the MotoGP World Championship since 2017. In the area of technology, Kurt Trieb (engine) and Wolfgang “Fewo” Felber (chassis) have been acting as a dual leadership since the Sachsenring. Despite the long list of things to do, they should be given enough time to get to grips with things.
Company boss Stefan Pierer noted at an informal dinner in Spielberg that he would like to involve test rider Dani Pedrosa (38) more. Pierer values the expertise of the 54-time Grand Prix winner, who stormed onto the podium in the Jerez sprint in April with a wildcard. He could even imagine Pedrosa being given more competence in the MotoGP project. Pedrosa is highly regarded by the test crew and all employees of the project. The Catalan is very determined, gives clear instructions and always ensures clear guidelines. All of this would also be valuable in the Red Bull KTM box on race weekends.
When asked about the ideas themselves in Spielberg, Pierer said very determinedly: “Dani is the boss! He should do the development and make the decisions. The others should then drive it – keep it simple!” Could Pedrosa be given a new job description? Pierer: “He has a title now!”
However, Pedrosa had already announced after the end of his career as a regular rider that it was not his goal to spend every weekend at the race track – he also recently became a father. So it is clear that everything will remain as it is in his role for the time being. However, the Spaniard has also announced that he would like to draw a wildcard again.
“Dani is really motivated again and has signaled that to us. He believes that he can still set up a motorcycle very well,” reported KTM consultant Heinz Kinigadner, who was involved in the meetings. The Tyrolean knows: “Recently, Dani wasn’t so interested in a wildcard. That has now changed. After the two Spielberg tests, he’s really keen again. He’s also communicating more with the drivers again.”
Anyone who doesn’t think that Sterlacchini’s personality played a role in this is a scoundrel.
