Overview
- KTM disclosed on Wednesday that it has identified a supplier-made, 'highly stressed' powertrain part that was produced out of specification and can cause RC16 engines to shut down without warning.
- Those sudden shutdowns produced dangerous incidents on track, most notably Pedro Acosta's engine cut-out at the Catalunya Grand Prix that led to a high-speed collision with Álex Márquez.
- KTM has formally asked the manufacturers' association (MSMA) for unanimous permission to unseal and replace the affected parts during the summer break, arguing the work is needed for safety.
- So far only Aprilia has backed KTM's request and the other sealed-engine manufacturers have withheld approval, effectively blocking KTM from opening engines under the current freeze rules.
- The decision carries wider consequences because a granted exception would echo the 2020 Yamaha fix, affect rider engine allocations and safety this season, and feed into tense manufacturer politics over the 2027 technical rules.