Crash.web writers predict which storyline may explode in MotoGP this season…
Lewis Duncan: KTM’s future would be the main speaking level of the 2025 season. The Austrian producer’s monetary disaster is having a serious influence on its racing programmes.
Throughout the board it has needed to reduce its manufacturing facility presence. Whereas MotoGP will go forward as deliberate in 2025, there’s a “deliberate” withdrawal set for 2026 below the marque’s present restructuring course of.
There may be each probability that the racing division can have its future safeguarded, however it is a very fluid state of affairs and one that may absolutely have extra twists earlier than it’s resolved.
Peter McLaren: Apart from the world championship battle, KTM’s worrying monetary state of affairs has so many implications for MotoGP, which already has the delayed Liberty deal to navigate.
Fortunately, the KTM MotoGP venture seems to be secure for 2025, however there’s a query mark over 2026 and particularly whether or not the RC16 will proceed below the brand new 850cc guidelines from 2027.
Most different producers are anticipated to place a prototype 850cc bike on observe by the top of this yr.
The uncertainly is certain to play on the minds of not solely KTM’s 4 riders – its strongest ever MotoGP line-up of Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini – but additionally group members.
Rival groups received’t hesitate to select off riders or key personnel in the event that they turn into accessible, including to KTM’s woes.
On the optimistic facet, if KTM’s quest for funding leads to international motorsport celebrity Lewis Hamilton turning into a part of MotoGP it will solely be good for the game.
Jordan Moreland: Jorge Martin and Aprilia. It is going to be attention-grabbing to look at Martin’s temperament all through the season, particularly if issues do not go how he needs it. He’s the World Champion, he has excessive expectations of himself. However let’s examine if he can information Aprilia in the precise course.
Alex Whitworth: The Bagnaia-Marquez battle actually may blow up into one thing, however the apparently impending collapse of one of many championship’s 5 producers – KTM – has the potential to drown out nearly all the sporting dialog this yr.
Particularly as they at the moment maintain contracts for essentially the most thrilling rider in MotoGP, Pedro Acosta, and – by means of CFMoto Aspar – the contract to essentially the most thrilling rider within the decrease lessons: David Alonso.
The lack of KTM from MotoGP actually can be seismic, particularly with the 2027 rule change looming ever bigger.
Derry Munikartono: I don’t wish to discuss ‘the battle in Pink’ between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, as I’ve had sufficient of it already.
For me, the upcoming takeover of MotoGP by Liberty media can be probably the most attention-grabbing storylines for the 2025 season.
Liberty’s takeover of Dorna, who manages the business side of MotoGP, offers us a glimpse of upward trajectory for the sequence, as they did with Formulation 1.
Since buying F1 again in 2017, Liberty quickly boosted the sequence into one among – if not essentially the most – in style sporting spectacle on this planet. Some individuals within the MotoGP neighborhood count on the identical once they take over the bike counterpart.
However there may be one downside with the investigation of antitrust regulation with the European Union (EU) that postponed the takeover till mid-2025. As a lot as the thrill of the takeover prospect, we have to watch for the decision earlier than welcoming Liberty media with excessive hopes.
