Overview
- Red Bull KTM confirmed on Monday that Alex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio have signed multi‑year contracts to form its 2027 factory MotoGP pairing.
- KTM says both riders will focus on developing the RC16 for the new 850cc engine rules and the switch from Michelin to Pirelli tyres that take effect in 2027.
- Engineers have traced a recurring RC16 failure to excessive vibrations that trigger the electronic control unit to enter emergency mode and cut power, and KTM has not yet implemented a full fix.
- Gresini owner Nadia Padovani issued an emotional farewell to Márquez after his move and Márquez is returning to factory status while recovering from collarbone and vertebra injuries sustained in Catalunya.
- The signings follow a cluster of post‑Concorde Agreement announcements reshaping the paddock, leave KTM expecting Brad Binder to depart at year‑end and leave a small number of factory seats, notably Honda’s, still to be finalised.