Motorsport.com reported earlier this week that Tech3 is now set to extend its relationship with KTM into the 850cc era, having flirted with the possibility of a switch to Honda machinery.
Any decision regarding Tech3’s factory partner would also have repercussions on the team’s rider line-up, with KTM having an option to renew its deals with both Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.
Bastianini was initially tipped with a move to Gresini Ducati, while Vinales was in line for a promotion to the factory squad until a previous injury derailed his campaign. The works KTM squad now appears to have locked in VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio to partner the incoming Alex Marquez next season, closing the door for Vinales. Brad Binder, who has been with KTM his entire career, could be booted out of the programme altogether.
Beirer stressed that KTM has to conclude a new deal with Tech3 before it can finalise its line-up for 2027.
“The only thing that is putting us under pressure to make a quick decision is the team,” he said. “If we don’t have a team, we don’t need to hire riders.
“So it’s not that we want to hire them or we want to use the options against them. We want to get the team on our side and then decide our riders, but we will also not hold the rider down who is not happy to stay.
Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
“So, it’s not like we have the option and we want to nail them down. But we also don’t want to give this option away today until we are clear about the team. So, let us fix the deal with the team.
“We want to bring Maverick back in form and also we want to bring Enea where he belongs to because we haven’t delivered yet. It didn’t click. He’s becoming better and better. If he’s becoming better and he can perform like he should perform, maybe he doesn’t want to leave.
“I want to work on the performance and be a great partner for them, but I think very soon you’re going to see some decisions happening.”
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