Pedro Acosta faced multiple reliability failures during the first half of the 2026 MotoGP season, including breakdowns at the Brno and Assen races, officials said. Sources confirmed KTM limited the RC16 engine’s performance amid ongoing mechanical and device-related issues, prompting Acosta to demand answers from the team after repeated problems affected his race weekends.
KTM’s 2026 MotoGP campaign has been marked by persistent reliability issues rather than a lack of pace, according to multiple reports. Sources confirmed that KTM limited the performance of the RC16 engine throughout the first half of the season as a precaution against ongoing mechanical and device-related failures. Acosta also linked a crash in the Sprint race to a malfunctioning ride-height device that affected his concentration.
Pedro Acosta, KTM’s leading rider, experienced three separate reliability problems during the Brno race weekend in August, including a practice breakdown on Friday and a final-lap engine failure in the grand prix on Sunday, Crash.net reported.
After the Czech Grand Prix, Acosta publicly demanded answers from KTM, according to Motorsport.com, expressing frustration over the repeated technical setbacks that compromised his race weekends. He indicated in interviews that he did not expect significant improvements before the Sachsenring round later in the season. The issues extended to the Assen race weekend in June, where Acosta encountered the same sensor-related problem twice during free practice and qualifying sessions. Team manager Aki Ajo explained that the bike’s emergency mode was triggered by sensor readings when the machine hit the kerbs, causing the engine to shut down. Ajo said the team identified and resolved the problem before the Sprint race, stating there was “nothing wrong with the bike” and that the rider had acted correctly.
The problems KTM faced were not isolated incidents but rather a series of failures affecting different subsystems of the RC16. These included engine performance restrictions, sensor malfunctions, ride-height device faults, and tyre-related complications. According to Bikesportnews, KTM has been contending with rear tyre vibration issues since Michelin introduced a higher-grip, longer-lasting rear tyre in 2024. The outlet also reported that KTM struggled with rear tyre life throughout 2025. Acosta’s second-place finish in the season-opening race in Thailand suggested some progress, but he acknowledged that tyre-related challenges persisted, impacting both qualifying and race performance.
The reliability problems had a tangible impact on KTM’s race results and points accumulation. At Brno, Acosta’s final-lap failure cost the team a strong finish, while his Sprint crash further reduced scoring opportunities. The recurring technical issues across multiple race weekends reportedly influenced KTM’s strategic decisions and rider confidence, with Acosta becoming the most visible figure voicing concerns about the bike’s reliability. The team’s approach has centered on diagnosing and containing faults rather than denying their existence, with Ajo emphasizing the incremental nature of the fixes implemented during race weekends.
The first half of the 2026 season revealed that KTM’s RC16 remains under development pressure, with the factory team balancing performance limitations against the need for greater reliability. Crash.net’s reporting on engine performance restrictions and sensor-triggered emergency modes highlights the internal measures KTM has taken to manage risk. Acosta’s role has been pivotal, as he has carried the team’s competitive hopes and public scrutiny amid the ongoing technical challenges. According to multiple sources, KTM continues to address these issues on a race-by-race basis, with no comprehensive resolution yet achieved.
Looking ahead, KTM’s efforts to improve the RC16’s reliability and tyre performance will be critical as the season progresses. The team’s experience with tyre degradation and sensor faults underscores the complexity of adapting to new technical regulations and tyre constructions introduced in recent years. Officials and team management have indicated that further updates and adjustments are planned for the second half of the season as KTM seeks to enhance both durability and competitiveness.
