Pedro Acosta was the fastest KTM RC16 rider on the time sheets after the second and final pre-season MotoGP test today. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing representative was 6th and just 0.3 from the quickest effort logged on the second of two hot and busy days at the Buriram International Circuit. The entire 2026 grid will now narrow their focus to the first of 22 Grands Prix this season, beginning at the same venue next weekend.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 used the remaining time and laps of pre-season work at Buriram to try last solutions and ideas for their 2026 set-up on the KTM RC16s (before the homologation cut-off). Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales also dedicated some of the session on the second day to refine their configuration for the forthcoming Grand Prix of Thailand, starting at the 4.5 km circuit next Friday.
Aerodynamic and chassis modifications were on the job list, as well as extra duties to harness the possibilities of the Michelin tires and the compounds designed to cope with the high temperatures. Behind Acosta was Binder in P12 and Viñales in P15 and Bastianini in P18 as the teams and riders mixed their agendas with race and Sprint ‘simulations’.
2026 MotoGP begins at Buriram before moving to Brazil and then the USA before the end of March.
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 6th: “Quite happy with the time attacks that I made this morning, quite happy with the position because we stayed in the top five which normally is our target, and not far from 1st. In the afternoon I was working to make my race simulation, it was quite OK. I tested everything I have. Now it’s time to work on things for the race, on long distance, but I’m quite happy. Looks promising.”
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 12th: “I think we arrived at a really good starting point. We threw a lot of parts at the bike. I feel like we have room to improve for the longer race distance but doing the simulation today allowed us to focus on key changes, and we were able to get to the end of the tire, which is better than last year. We tried a major switch, and it was so different. It allowed me to go a second faster than this morning. Happy with that and we’re really looking forward to exploring more in FP1 on Friday. I’m certain this year is going to be better than 2025.”
Maverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3, 15th: “Good. We took a lot of information today about the long distance and the Sprint. I couldn’t do a good time attack, but the Sprint simulation was quite good. I was constant and happy. My shoulder was also giving me zero problems. I feel totally healed so that’s a big positive; It was important to understand if I could be back to my full form, and I am. We worked on the bike for the race here today and we need to do a bit more for the Sunday GP. I feel we have potential.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3, 18th: “Malaysia was positive and here was a bit harder, but we’ll be ready for next week. We’ll be working these days to check data and we’ll look to improve in every area. Compared to last year things are a bit better and easier because I have references for more tracks. This is a positive. The new chassis was a good solution for me and I think it can help to be more competitive this season. We’ll see.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “With the first grand prix of the season happening here in Buriram it was nice to test again and finalize things at this circuit. A lot of days in hot conditions and a lot of information but we have made some steps both for performance and working methods. We worked to better use the tires for circuits like these and, in the second part of last season especially, more stopping potential of the bike: the usual areas where riders are looking for more confidence and how they can use the bike. After a lot of work in the winter it can be difficult to know exactly where we are, and we’ve had many new items for aerodynamics and the chassis but the real check comes next week at the first race and then the next measuring point will be after the first Grands Prix. We are improving daily and that’s the best we can do.”
Sebastian Risse, KTM Technical Director MotoGP: “After testing some big items in Sepang we were looking forward to confirming them here and then working on tuning and race pace as well as detailing the race set-up. We were able to stick to this plan without any big surprises. We know from last year that this track is very challenging for tire management and it looks like we have learned a lot compared to 2025 and have made good progress. We had highlights with different riders, and now we have one more week to put together what we found out here and be well aligned between the guys. We’re ready to race. There has been enough testing and we’re really looking forward to the race weekend. Our strategy was to work, work, work during the wintertime and now is the moment to show it.”
Buriram official test final times
1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA) Aprilia 1:28.688
2. Ai Ogura (JPN) Aprilia +0.097
3. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +0.168
6. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.353
12. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.724
15. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.872
18. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +1.060
2. Ai Ogura (JPN) Aprilia +0.097
3. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +0.168
6. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.353
12. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.724
15. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.872
18. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +1.060
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