KTM’s 2024 MotoGP rider logjam deepens ahead of Austrian GP

Current Moto2 championship leader Acosta is set to step up to the MotoGP world championship next year with KTM, though where remains a mystery.

KTM has four bikes spread across the factory team and the GasGas-branded Tech3 satellite squad, but all riders occupying those seats have contracts.

Both Brad Binder and Jack Miller are contracted to the factory team through the end of next year, while Tech3’s Espargaro penned a two-year deal upon his switch from Honda.

This originally left reigning Moto2 champion Augusto Fernandez as the likely rider to be moved aside to make space for Acosta, having only agreed a one-year deal.

But at the British Grand Prix earlier this month, he told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview that he had agreed to extend his deal with KTM to remain on the grid next season.

“You think about that and you’re worried, but now it’s done so super happy to stay here,” Fernandez said at Silverstone when asked by Motorsport.com about Acosta’s impending promotion.

“I’m happy to stay with the same people because this helps a lot.”

Augusto Fernandez, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Nothing has, as of yet, been announced regarding Fernandez’s renewal, though KTM CEO Stefan Pierer stated in an interview with Speedweek last month that the Spaniard would be staying.

Asked again about his 2024 situation on Thursday at the Austrian Grand Prix – where an announcement about Acosta’s future has been anticipated – Fernandez told Motorsport.com: “I have no idea [why my future hasn’t been announced], you’d have to ask them.

“I have a contract. We’ll see. We know how this world is, but I’ve been told and what we’ve signed is that next year I’m going to stay where I am.

“But I can’t say more, you have to ask them. In theory, I’m staying with this team and these colours, but we’ll see what happens.”

Despite signing a two-year contract with KTM, Pierer said last month to Speedweek that Espargaro would return for a second season “if he performs as expected”.

These comments have cast doubt on Espargaro’s future, who had been out with serious injury following a crash in FP2 in Portugal until last week’s British GP.

Asked by Motorsport.com about Pierer’s comments during the Silverstone weekend, Espargaro noted: “We’re all here, we need to perform, it’s not surprising.

Pol Espargaro, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing

Photo by: GasGas Factory Racing

“I’ve been in MotoGP already [almost] 10 years and I always have a clear idea that if I want to stay in MotoGP, I need to perform.

“It’s the only way, and especially in the situation I am that I come back from a huge injury and not racing so much, the doubts are there, for sure, but the doubts are there for everyone, me included.

“So, I’m the first one who wants to come back in my normal state. For sure I have for 2023 and 2024 signed a contract, but for sure I’m the first one that I want to perform and if not I…