This year, KTM won three races (two with Miguel Oliveria and one with Brad Binder), finished fourth in the constructors’ championship (a handful of points behind Suzuki and Yamaha and ahead of Honda) and, with all of its results, was one of the best constructors and loses concessions for the first time since joining MotoGP.
The RC16 is a mature project and the top management of the Austrian company is ready for the next step: the fight for the world championship.
KTM boss, Stefan Pierer, explained it unequivocally in an interview with Speedweek. “In 2020 we achieved and exceeded our goals. We now have a technical foundation that allows multiple drivers to win and be in the top positions, and for the first time it offers the best opportunities for rookies, as Binder and Lecuona have shown. Our goal for next year is to fight for the world title and, if possible, to win it.”
Pierer isn’t the only one who thinks that way. Hubert Trunkenpolz, The grandson of one of the founders of KTM wants the same thing.
“I agree with Pierer. At a certain point, the title is the goal. It doesn’t matter which league we are in. A certain point is what we want“he stated.” I wouldn’t say we won’t have a chance. We are in a good position with three drivers who have won a race this season: Oliveira, Binder and Petrucci. Miguel and Brad have been with us for quite some time. If you want to win the World Cup, you have to do it soon or it will never happen. There are some risky young drivers like Morbidelli, Quartararo, Mir and Rins. If our two boys are in shape, they will probably fight for the title. Pit Beirer also expects a lot from Petrucci. “