Enea Bastianini has been having the most miserable campaign of his MotoGP career so far with KTM Tech3 this season.
He sits 15th in the riders’ standings, which would equal his worst ever finish from 2023. The only caveat being that Bastianini missed nine races that year and still finished that high.
The switch from Ducati’s factory operation to KTM’s satellite Tech3 team has not been smooth, and it’s showing with his results on track.
His best MotoGP finish is 7th this season, earned at the very attritional Grand Prix of the Americas. His main issue has been getting comfortable over one lap. The outright speed just doesn’t appear to be there.
Bastianini has been linked with Aprilia, but is under contract until the end of 2026 currently. It wouldn’t be easy for him to escape any deal.
It didn’t take long for Bastianini to miss riding for Ducati, and it looks as though he may be a key player in the MotoGP rider market for 2026 if his discontent continues.
Enea Bastianini admits KTM front tyre issue ‘ruined everything’ at Aragon Grand Prix
If Bastianini is Aprilia’s replacement for Jorge Martin, he will find himself back on a factory bike just before a new set of regulations.
It seems to be a stronger machine than KTM’s currently, with Marco Bezzecchi winning the British Grand Prix on it recently.
The step up would be noticeable for someone of Bastianini’s prowess. Joining an Italian team may also be more comfortable for him.
Speaking after the Grand Prix of Aragon, he complained about one particular issue which wreaked havoc with his weekend.
“I had strong vibrations and the front wheel kept locking up,” he told SPEEDWEEK. “It’s really no fun like this. At this level, you rely on aggressive braking into the corners. That wasn’t possible.
“The traction on the rear wheel was good. The speed was also good. But the problems with the front wheel ruined everything. I’ll be the first driver on the track [Monday]. I have a lot to do and I’m really hoping for a big step forward.”
READ MORE: Enea Bastianini has a ‘big problem’ that KTM must fix, it’s ‘always’ costing the Tech3 rider
Why Enea Bastianini’s recent run of form may convince him to leave Tech3
Over the last three races, Bastianini has failed to finish higher than 12th. In Aragon, he didn’t have any major offs, but he was simply slow.
At this stage, he’s not capable of challenging for the top 10 on merit. It would be hard to refuse a ride elsewhere if it offered him a greater chance of competing.
With Guenther Steiner spotting a Tech3 ‘weak link’ ahead of a potential takeover, it could be all change at the team in the future if ownership changes hands.
Bastianini’s ‘main problem’ at Tech3 is qualifying, and even his boss knows it. They appear to have done everything with the bike that they can, but further improvements will need to come from the Italian in future.
