KTM pinpoints issue behind MotoGP engine reliability woes
Pit Beirer says KTM has traced its MotoGP engine shutdowns to 'high-stress' powertrain parts that failed to meet quality standards.
KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer has confirmed the factory's MotoGP engine reliability problems are caused by a supplier quality control issue.
The problem has caused some KTM engines to suddenly shut down, most notably when Pedro Acosta was leading May’s Catalan Grand Prix, resulting in a huge accident for Alex Marquez, following closely behind.
During last weekend’s German Grand Prix, Beirer confirmed to Sky Italia that “there is something wrong inside our engines”.
With MotoGP engine design frozen since the start of last season, and the KTM problems only emerging this season, a manufacturing issue was suspected - and has now been confirmed:
“We eventually discovered that we were using high-stress parts in the powertrain which did not meet the specified quality standards,” Beirer told Speedweek.com.
“These critical engine components failed under certain conditions. These are components from a supplier, and having investigated the cause, we can now also rule out the possibility that this damage would occur with ‘correct’ parts.”
MSMA application
MotoGP's engine homologation rules mean KTM must now obtain permission from the other manufacturers before opening its sealed engines to replace the affected components.
“We have submitted a special application to the MSMA manufacturers’ association, accompanied by detailed documentation, requesting permission to open the affected engines under controlled conditions during the summer break in order to replace the critical engine parts with the correct parts of identical specifications," Beirer said.
“We have already received positive feedback on this during the Sachsenring GP, although some responses are still pending. We hope for good cooperation here too and are demonstrating full transparency to all parties involved regarding the entire process.”
KTM has already thanked Aprilia for its support, but must also receive approval from Ducati, Honda and Yamaha before carrying out the replacement work.
Permission is far from guaranteed if any of KTM's rivals feel the reliability problem could also be 'solved' by reducing engine performance, something KTM is rumoured to have done in recent events.
As such, KTM will need to show that the problematic parts are at risk of failing even with significantly reduced performance.
The latest MotoGP engine list shows Brad Binder has had three engines (out of the nine allowed per rider this season) withdrawn from his allocation, the most of any rider.
Team-mate Acosta has had two engines withdrawn from use, and Enea Bastianini one. Maverick Vinales still has all his engines available.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
