KTM have found some salvation for their financial crisis as Bajaj Auto agree to inject millions to save the company. However, the future of their MotoGP project remains uncertain.
Reporting debts of £2bn over the winter, KTM had their restructuring plan approved back in February as they agreed to pay creditors 30% by the end of May. Indian company Bajaj Auto, who have a share in the manufacturer, have provided 600 million euros (roughly £503m) to keep the operation afloat.
With this, Bajaj would effectively take control of KTM as their majority owner. This was confirmed when the Indian outfit agreed a deal to take over the Austrian manufacturer’s parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, which is set to be finalised in May 2026.
This may seem like good news for the company’s MotoGP project, which has been shrouded in uncertainty throughout 2025. The financial crisis has hampered the development of the RC16, leaving Pedro Acosta frustrated with KTM’s situation.
The 20-year-old has been the most vocal about the team’s issues, with Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini also struggling to find consistency. Acosta has demanded more from the factory as he sits ninth in the standings, but the latest revelation about Bajaj’s plan will be hugely concerning.
Bajaj may sell KTM Tech3’s bikes after considering pulling out of MotoGP entirely
While Bajaj have given KTM some security, their MotoGP project and what it may look like come 2026 remains in doubt. Bajaj plan to focus on cuts, including the production range and laying off 20% of staff.
KTM already lost 2,000 people due to the financial crisis over the winter. Bajaj have cast the project into serious doubt, which at one point looked as though it might not exist.
According to a report from the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, Bajaj ‘was even considering leaving the championship in recent weeks’. However, they have now opted against this dramatic decision, after analysing the potential of the 2027 regulations and Liberty Media’s proposed takeover of MotoGP.
This scenario is ‘attractive enough to keep the whole thing afloat’. However, there is another unknown that needs to be resolved.
The report states that there is a ‘possibility that the deployment will be limited to a single team’. Bajaj could look to sell satellite team Tech3, leaving the manufacturer with just the factory KTM team and two bikes on the MotoGP grid.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Fabio Quartararo proved the importance of having four bikes on the MotoGP grid at Silverstone
Selling Tech3 would be hugely damaging for KTM’s MotoGP project. They would derail the hard work the manufacturer did to bring the French team closer to the factory operation, as well as bringing in experienced winners Vinales and Bastianini to the manufacturer.
Having four bikes on the grid is vital for development, with satellite teams being crucial in providing data to the factory so improvements can be made. Yamaha proved this at the British Grand Prix as Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Alex Rins got three bikes into Q2 for the first time in 2025.
Quartararo ‘really’ liked seeing three Yamaha bikes in Q2 as it gave them data to analyse where the performance has come from. KTM are currently benefitting from having Tech3 on board, with Acosta saying he learns from Vinales as the 30-year-old seems the most adapted to the RC16.
Tech3’s exit from KTM would only add to the Spaniard’s frustration and heighten rumours that he could leave as early as 2026. VR46 are pursuing Acosta, but cannot sign him unless he breaks his contract.
