Red Bull and KTM Extend MotoGP Partnership into New 850cc Engine Era

The enduring alliance between Austrian powerhouses KTMTeam·KTM and Red BullTeam·Red Bull in MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP is set to continue, with both companies agreeing to a new contract extension. While the specific duration of the renewed agreement was not disclosed, it confirms that the RC16 motorcycles will proudly display the distinctive Red BullTeam·Red Bull logo and colors as the premier class embarks on a new technical era featuring 850cc engines and PirelliTeam·Pirelli tires from the 2027 season.

Red BullTeam·Red Bull has been a pivotal partner for KTMTeam·KTM since the manufacturer's debut in the top-tier MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP category in 2017, providing substantial support both on and off the track. This continuity underscores the deep synergy between the two brands, a sentiment echoed by KTMTeam·KTM Motorsport Director Pit BeirerCoach·Pit Beirer.

"Red Bull and KTM simply go hand in hand. This has been a great partnership for such a long time and it is much more than just the colors on the bikes," stated Pit Beirer. "Red Bull supports us in so many ways, both on the track and behind the scenes. This is an important collaboration and we are all very happy at the factory that we can continue to represent this Austrian 'show' in our racing and especially in MotoGP. We want to thank everyone involved for continuing this story. We still have a lot to achieve together."

Looking ahead to the 2027 season, the Red Bull KTM Factory RacingTeam·Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team will feature an entirely new rider lineup. Alex MarquezPlayer·Alex Marquez and Fabio Di GiannantonioPlayer·Fabio Di Giannantonio are confirmed to join the factory squad, replacing current riders Pedro AcostaPlayer·Pedro Acosta and Brad BinderPlayer·Brad Binder. Both incoming riders have demonstrated strong form in the 2026 season; Di Giannantonio has secured three podium finishes, including a victory, across ten rounds and is a contender for the title, while Alex MarquezPlayer·Alex Marquez notably won the Jerez race.

In the current 2026 season, Red Bull KTM Factory RacingTeam·Red Bull KTM Factory Racing holds fifth place in the team standings with 191 points. Their satellite counterpart, Red Bull KTM Tech3Team·Red Bull KTM Tech3, is positioned eighth with 79 points. Individually, Pedro AcostaPlayer·Pedro Acosta is seventh in the rider championship with 133 points, and Brad BinderPlayer·Brad Binder is thirteenth. For Red Bull KTM Tech3Team·Red Bull KTM Tech3, Enea BastianiniPlayer·Enea Bastianini sits twelfth, and Maverick ViñalesPlayer·Maverick Viñales is twenty-second. Bastianini recently finished eighth in the Assen MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP sprint and sixth in the Dutch Grand Prix, also securing a top-ten finish in the Brno sprint and Czech Grand Prix.

However, the extent of Red BullTeam·Red Bull's support for the Tech3Team·Tech3 satellite team in 2027 remains uncertain. Guenther SteinerCoach·Guenther Steiner, owner of Tech3Team·Tech3, has confirmed that the riders for the upcoming year will hold contracts directly with the team, rather than with KTMTeam·KTM. This development adds a layer of intrigue to the team's future structure. The 2026 season marks the final year under the current 1000cc engine regulations before the shift to 850cc motorcycles, signaling a significant technical evolution for the sport. Furthermore, KTMTeam·KTM has also announced a new multi-year partnership with MOTOREXTeam·MOTOREX, designating them as the official partner of Red Bull KTM Factory RacingTeam·Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP, commencing from the 2026 season.