The motorcycle manufacturer KTM is in big financial difficulties. According to Aki Ajo, the MotoGP project he is leading is still progressing according to plans.
In November, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM announced its financial difficulties. According to various media, it is billion in debt.
Financial problems have been seen threatening organizations’ projects in the MotoGP classes of the World Series of track motorcycling. KTM is involved in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. The organization is committed to being in the World Series until 2026, when the current rules will be valid for the last time.
Finnish long-distance track motorcycle expert Aki Ajo was named KTM’s MotoGP team manager in the fall. Ajo has had its own Red Bull KTM Ajomotorsport team in Moto2 and Moto3 for a long time with KTM and Red Bull.
Ajo is silent about KTM’s financial situation. According to him, the team’s next season’s MotoGP project will proceed normally.
– Tomorrow morning we will be at the factory again. We operate as normal, Ajo tells Urheilu.
The previous MotoGP season ended in mid-November in Barcelona, Spain. Immediately after the final weekend of the season, tests were run on the track with a view to next season.
It has been reported that the development of KTM’s next season’s MotoGP bike would be frozen. However, according to Ajo, the project is progressing normally.
– Development work has continued as normal for us throughout the season. The previous tests were shortly before Christmas in Jerez.
– We are going into the season with the same goals as before. There are no such changes to operational activities or performance so far.
Tough goals
KTM has two teams and four riders in the MotoGP class. Next season, the great talent of the sport will drive in the factory team Pedro Acosta as well as a South African Brad Binder.
Ajo has had a long and successful career in various classes of the World Series of track motorcycling, but being a team manager in the MotoGP class is the first of its kind for the respected Finn.
According to his own words, Ajo has not taken a break from the parent team’s big problems.
– I have been able to focus on my own role full time. I have so much experience and age that there are always ups and downs. There are objections in all projects.
– You have to focus on your role. We are going full steam ahead towards the end of January, when we prepare for the next season in Sepang.
KTM, which joined the MotoGP class in 2017, has had an upward trend in the main class. Last season, the team was the second best manufacturer after Ducati. In addition to these two, Yamaha, Honda and Aprillia are influential in MotoGP.
According to Ajo, KTM has not given up on its tough goals. It wants to become the best manufacturer of the World Cup in the near future.
– All other competitors have been around much longer. In the previous two years, we have been the second most successful manufacturer. You can say that the project has been moving forward all the time, even though the hunger is strong. I believe that in the next two years there will be opportunities to fight for the brightest, Ajo sees.
Any help with Lewis Hamilton?
Lately it is rumoredthat the seven-time world champion of formula one Lewis Hamilton would be willing to invest in a stable. Motorsport director of KTM Pit Beier has admitted that KTM has negotiated with the Formula 1 superstar.
Ajo reminds that Liberty Media, which manages the commercial rights of Formula 1, is interested in MotoGP. Dorna currently owns the commercial rights to the series.
The American company Liberty Media has greatly increased the popularity of Formula 1 in recent years. Especially from the United States, the sport has gained many new friends.
– It is clear that it (Liberty Media) increases the interest of the already popular series worldwide much more. It is clear that interest is rising from many different parties and investors. There will be all kinds of rumors.
– We focus on our own roles and on getting the performance level forward. It’s the daily main agenda, Ajo responds to the Hamilton rumor.
The 2025 MotoGP season kicks off at the beginning of March in Thailand.