KTM may use six wildcards in MotoGP in 2024, with two very capable test riders – Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró. However, for now, KTM Motorsport director Pit Beirer has revealed that only Pedrosa’s participation in the Spanish GP is confirmed.
In an interview with the website SPEEDWEEK.com, Beirer explained that wildcard entries will be scheduled depending on certain factors: ‘At the moment, the only thing that is certain is that Dani Pedrosa will ride in Jerez. Everything else will be decided according to how the season unfolds. It also depends on how many races we need to test new components in competition. This requires some advance planning. We have to see what makes sense for the project. Pol would prefer to compete today rather than tomorrow, and Dani has his favorite tracks. On average, we have one test per month with our test team. Along with production, customs, transportation, and so on, it requires a lead time of two or three months‘.
Asked if before any wildcard entries the solutions are tested in private, Beirer confirmed: ‘Exactly. First you need to test without the pressure of competition. But at some point you seek confirmation with a wildcard on how the new components perform under the competition overload, in a fast lap or in the midst of other bikes‘.
And, although the concessions allow for six wildcard entries, the Austrian admitted that KTM is unlikely to take advantage of all of them: ‘Honestly, I don’t see us taking advantage of all six. But there will be some wildcard entries, that’s for sure‘.
