KTM to keep 2023 carbon fibre chassis - engine, aero TBC in Qatar
Engine spec and aero parts will be decided after the Qatar MotoGP test.
KTM’s “brave” decision to introduce its radical new carbon fibre frame in the closing stages of last season means they have been able to dedicate MotoGP pre-season testing to other areas of the RC16.
Red Bull KTM team manager Francesco Guidotti confirmed that the 2023 carbon fibre chassis will continue to be used for the start of this year, but with engine spec and aero parts to be decided at the upcoming Qatar Tests.
With the exception of Honda and Yamaha, MotoGP engine design is frozen for the season at round one, with most aero updates also strictly limited. However, there are no restrictions on chassis development, meaning KTM could introduce a stage two carbon fibre frame during the season.
“The chassis will be the one we used in the last five races,” Guidotti said of KTM's 2024 package. “It’s [still] a kind of new chassis because we were quite brave to introduce it in the GPs after a short test and wild-card with Dani [Pedrosa] in Misano.
“I would say we were brave to introduce it because we really didn’t know [much about it]. But we needed to get experience with it and we know that the best test is always during a Grand Prix.
“After testing in Misano, the race riders were really happy to use it in the GPs, [even if] facing some risk."
Although only the Red Bull KTM team of Binder and Jack Miller had access to the carbon fibre chassis at the end of last year, GASGAS Tech3 riders Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez also have the composite design for 2024.
“For the coming Qatar test, we have to decide the spec of the engine and of course some aero details," Guidotti continued.
“And on the electronic side we start with new experience, let’s say, so we still have a lot of room to improve.
“The next two days will be crucial for [choosing] some things, but we also have to spend some time to prepare for the race weekend, two weeks later.
“So it will also be important to collect some real information.”
KTM was next best after Ducati in last year's riders' (4th, Brad Binder) and constructors' (2nd) standings.
Binder was again the top KTM rider in seventh place at the recent Sepang test.
The Qatar test takes place from February 19-20.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
