Red Bull KTM and Aki Ajo renew Grand Prix partnership for next five seasons

Led by team principal Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM has been one of the pillars when it comes to Moto2 and Moto3 rider progression, as they announce a new five-year agreement. 

Their partnership together started in 2012 with immediate success as Sandro Cortese became Moto3 world champion. 

So far, Aki Ajo and Red Bull KTM have 39 wins and 83 podiums in Moto3, while in Moto2 it’s 21 victories and 57 rostrums. 

The renewal of their partnership comes after a fantastic start to 2021 in both categories, as Pedro Acosta and Remy Gardner are runaway leaders in their respective championships. 

Moto3 rookie Acosta has four wins to his name so far, while Gardner has three in Moto2 - all came in the last three rounds. 

Along with that, Ajo has the standout Moto2 rookie in his ranks with Raul Fernandez who sits second in the championship on two wins and three pole positions, while Jaume Masia also has one win in Moto3 this year. 

Speaking about the agreement, Ajo said: "We are really happy and thankful to maintain the cooperation with KTM in the upcoming years. This is already our tenth season together, therefore it feels like a natural yet great way to continue for at least five more years. 

"The system we created together with KTM and Red Bull, starting in the Rookies Cup and continuing through Moto3 and Moto2, up to MotoGP, is quite unique in this paddock and it is working well. 

"This kind of connection motivates us in our job, as we can work year-by-year with young talents, developing their skills and trying to educate them to progress in their career. We are looking forward to continuing producing decent results in both Moto3 and Moto2."

Success for the KTM brand in 2021 has been more consistent in Moto2 and Moto3, but since Mugello three rounds ago, Miguel Oliveira has also taken two podiums and a win in MotoGP. 

KTM Motorsports Director, Pit Beirer added: "This new deal is really satisfying and a real no-brainer for us. Aki’s team is having a great season so far but for ten years now they have been a super-important part of our structure. 

"We are very passionate about developing our own racing talent and we invest a lot on efforts for Red Bull MotoGP Rookies, NTC and Moto3 to do this. We feel it gives us a strong connection. 

"It is how we want to go racing and we’re thrilled that we proved that it could work in the MotoGP paddock. Back in 2012 we were like a ‘guest’ here. We had a bike, an ambition and just a space in the back of Aki’s transporter; we didn’t even have our own truck! 

"I’m happy and proud that Aki is a special part of a bigger effort that means we had more than 70 bikes on track at the Sachsenring. He helped us arrive in MotoGP and we just want to get even stronger."