The winter break of the MotoGP has been disrupted by a piece of news that came like a bolt from the blue and totally unexpected that could substantially change the starting grid of all three classes in 2025. Of course, we are referring to what is happening within KTM, a motorsport giant that has suddenly found itself overwhelmed by debt and close to bankruptcy.
Speaking about this delicate phase for two-wheelers, Danilo Petrucci's manager Alberto Vergani spoke exclusively for GPOne, who seems to have a very precise idea about the evolution of the tricky case.
"It seems strange to me that in such a situation a liquidator would allow the company to take part in such an expensive championship - said the Italian manager - The most logical hypothesis would be to exit at least Moto2 and Moto3 and go ahead with MotoGP, however, they are four bikes, the necessary budget is no small thing and then there are the developments to be done. At such an emergency period in time someone should come in who can take over the bikes and teams because Poncharal himself for Tech3 gets support from the parent company."
Among the alternatives is that of an arrangement. "Usually the court determines this to save a company. It is an agreement with creditors for a curtailment that can reach percentages of up to 90 percent so that the company does not go bankrupt. This may be an argument applicable to the case of KTM. To continue it will have to accept the sacrifice of 800 employees, while the creditors will be asked to waive a share of compensation. From what I know, the liquidator is already working on the issue of racing that is also a preparation for its survival. We are talking about a vast company, not to mention that Mattighofen lives off KTM. I believe that the Austrian government will save it, nevertheless someone will pay for it," he confided.
And regarding the possibility of seeing the team again on the starting grid in the premier category, he said, "Dorna will also have to put its hand in its wallet, not forgetting that we are in a moment of transition with the sale of the series to Liberty Media."