KTM have been in turmoil over the last few months with a desperate financial crisis. This week, it seems the manufacturer may have found a way out of their issues.
KTM had their restructuring plan approved back in February, as they agreed to pay creditors 30% of their debts, totalling around £2bn, by the end of May.
There was still uncertainty, however, as the company had to find investment to pay the money owed. Now, Indian company Bajaj Auto, who have a share in KTM, have secured the funding, thereby, for now at least, securing their future.
Bajaj Auto have taken out loans amounting to 566 million euros (roughly £477.9m) to pay 30% of the debts to creditors. With this, according to a report from Motosprint, Bajaj would now hold 63% of the shares in KTM.
This would give the Indian company ‘full control’ of the Austrian manufacturer’s future strategy. While that sounds like good news for KTM’s MotoGP project, it still leaves its four factory riders, particularly Pedro Acosta, in uncertainty.
Bajaj Auto plan to focus on cuts at KTM – Pedro Acosta should worry about their MotoGP project
The 20-year-old Spaniard was actively trying to find answers to the manufacturer’s situation. Acosta visited the KTM factory in Austria to assess if he could be competitive in 2025; he had just been promoted from Tech3 to the factory team.
KTM have expressed their commitment to racing until at least 2026, with beyond that being uncertain. Heading into the new era of MotoGP in 2027, Bajaj Auto’s potential ownership of KTM raises some concerns for Acosta.
In the report from Motosprint, ‘leaked’ information states that Bajaj ‘would focus on cuts and a new internal organisation’ at KTM. This would consist of reducing the workforce by 20% and cutting the production range.
KTM already lost 2,000 staff over the winter during the financial crisis. The report goes on to state that Bajaj would have to consider ‘further investment, technical and economic’ for the 2027 regulations in MotoGP; something that, at the moment, they would seem unwilling to bring.
Acosta has been getting frustrated at KTM as he struggles to find performance on the RC16. The bike’s chatter issue and outright lack of pace have left the Spaniard struggling for consistency.
Sitting on 46 points in the standings after six rounds in 2025, Acosta will be desperate to see improvements from KTM behind the scenes. With Bajaj’s rumoured cuts, the 20-year-old should be worried about his future with the team.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Pedro Acosta and Enea Bastianini are being linked with moves away from KTM
KTM’s situation and Acosta’s frustration have prompted rumours that the latter could seek a way out, despite recently signing a two-year factory deal. Keith Huewen is confident that Acosta has an exit clause in his contract that will allow him to leave early.
Acosta is not interested in Honda’s money, with the Japanese manufacturer having been linked with the Spaniard in recent weeks. It is believed Ducati is his preferred destination.
VR46 are in pole position to sign Acosta, even if the move would be financially steep for Valentino Rossi’s team. KTM will have to give the 20-year-old assurances that the team can improve, or even commit to MotoGP in the next couple of years.
Acosta may not be the only one the manufacturer risks losing early. Enea Bastianini would ‘gladly’ leave KTM just six races into his career with Tech3, having struggled to adapt since leaving Ducati.
