Is KTM About To Lose Its Red Bull MotoGP Sponsorship?

KTM's future in MotoGP has been uncertain since the brand's insolvency last year. But more rumors are swirling, and this time about its title sponsor Red Bull leaving.

RideApart's been covering KTM's insolvency and 11th-hour saving since it began last year, as the company announced it was basically bankrupt, had no cash, was shuttering production, and selling off assets left, right, and center. Then, Bajaj, one of the brand's long-standing partners, stepped in, offered the board a bunch of cash to pay its creditors back, and purchased a controlling stake. KTM was saved.

Huzzah! 

But one of the early dominoes to fall in this whole business was the brand's very expensive MotoGP program. At least, that's how it seemed, as the Austrian insolvency managers stated rather emphatically that the team, and the brand's internal program, would be no more even if or when it was saved. Yet, since then, there's been almost no communication from Bajaj about the future of KTM's MotoGP efforts. Indeed, the company is already testing the 2027 850cc engine.

And when pressed for comment, a Bajaj spokesperson told RideApart, "No comment." The brand's lackluster response to the MotoGP question, however, could be moot, as a new report states that KTM's title sponsor, Red Bull, could be leaving the brand soon. 

The current scuttlebutt within the paddock is that CFMoto is currently in talks with KTM for the brand's two grid spots, which have been rumored to be up for sale for a while now. And that's despite all the work KTM's done to get ready for the regulations change in 2027, including building out an entirely new engine platform. But CFMoto ain't about to just use KTM parts or co-brand with KTM, as the Chinese manufacturer has done a lot of the legwork to get its own V4 engine architecture out to the public in short order. 

Likewise, CFMoto was one of the bidders on KTM's assets, and already had a long-standing relationship with KTM in helping produce certain motorcycles for the Austrian manufacturer. That jilting, however, along with Bajaj coming in and ending the sales partnership its had with KTM, likely means that Bajaj has no interest in a joint project. That's why KTM is looking for outside investment, i.e., private equity firm Hillhouse Investment, according to GPOne. 

"Also present at the talks with CFMoto at the 'House of Brands' in Munderfing on Tuesday was a delegation from Hong Kong-based private equity fund Hillhouse Investment," states the outlet, adding, "Bajaj has no intention of funding the MotoGP project, which is why KTM's plans for MotoGP will not be feasible without a substantial financial injection." The interesting portion of GPOne's coverage, however, comes in the form of KTM's title sponsor Red Bull leaving the brand with an eye on either Ducati or Honda (HRC). 

"Red Bull wants to finally get back to winning ways against the many teams and riders sponsored by rival Monster," states the site, "including Lenovo Ducati, Pertamina VR46, Aprilia Racing, Monster Yamaha and others. Therefore, preparations are underway for 2027. Red Bull could then presumably take over Lenovo Ducati's advertising space, replacing Monster, thus resuming its collaboration with world champion Marc Márquez, who competed as a Red Bull athlete from 2007 until the end of 2024."

Add in the fact that negotiations between Ducati and Pedro Acosta have been rumored for months now, with the young KTM rider unhappy about his own predicament at the brand,  and you can begin to see what he and 9-time-champion Marc Marquez's Red Bull Ducati team would look like. Imagine the possibilities. Whether any of this happens, however, is anyone's guess, as silly season for 2027 seems to be already starting before the 2026 season even begins. 

What we do know is that Red Bull doesn't like to lose. And KTM's current financial predicaments, along with a race motorcycle that doesn't like to win, even with folks as good as Acosta or Brad Binder, doesn't make for good bedfellows. 

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