The Tech3-GasGas is entering the new 2024 MotoGP season in familiar colors, but with a changed line-up – this is the KTM RC16 of newcomer Pedro Acosta
2024 Tech3-GasGas will start with Moto2 World Champion Pedro Acosta. KTM’s sister team remains largely true to itself in terms of colors – with minor updates. The design for the new MotoGP season was officially unveiled this Monday in an online presentation.
This year’s livery differs only slightly from the color scheme for 2023 and features more prominent Red Bull lettering on the front and side of the bike.
“One of the most exciting things that has happened this winter is the return of Red Bull to Tech3. We are very happy to have them back on our MotoGP bike,” says Team Principal Herve Poncharal and announces: “This season will be more exciting than ever, with a very competitive grid.”
Poncharal’s team has been the official GasGas works team since 2023. It will be equipped with the same KTM RC16 as the Austrian manufacturer’s factory team, although updates – such as the 2023 carbon chassis – are usually only made available to KTM
Fernandez starts his second MotoGP year
Last year, Tech3-GasGas finished last in the team standings with 95 points, just behind LCR-Honda. Due to a serious injury to Pol Espargaro at the start of the season, the team had to do without him for a long time.
Jonas Folger, a KTM test rider, stepped in for six race weekends. He finished in the points three times. The then MotoGP rookie Augusto Fernandez took on the role of team leader after Espargaro’s retirement. He scored points in 14 out of 20 Grand Prix races. His best result: fourth place at Le Mans
Tech3 is also relying on the Spaniard’s services in 2024. “I’m looking forward to this year because I now know the references of every track with the RC16 and I know that we have to show a lot of commitment on Fridays, because that can decide a lot of the weekend,” he says, looking ahead to his second season with Tech3-GasGas.
Acosta doesn’t want to look at results yet
In Acosta, Fernandez will have a new teammate in 2024 who he already knows well from Moto2. Pol Espargaro has lost his regular seat, but will remain loyal to the KTM brand family as a test and reserve rider.
The expectations of Acosta, who has already won two titles in three years, are high. But he himself says: “I don’t want to think about results at the moment.”
“I’ve only spent one day on the bike and it’s not the time to talk about results or goals, because that’s not realistic. I will try to enjoy the Malaysia test and gain as much experience as possible to be competitive at the start of the season,” said the rookie.
With the presentation of Tech3, five MotoGP teams have so far unveiled their colors for the new season. Gresini-Ducati made the start. It was followed by the Ducati factory team and VR46-Ducati. Last weekend, Trackhouse-Aprilia (formerly RNF-Aprilia) revealed its new livery for 2024.
The action continues on the track this week, when the shakedown takes place in Sepang from February 1 to 3. The official test with all the regular riders will then follow from February 6 to 8. The season opener is at the beginning of March in Qatar
