The MotoGP transfer market shifts its focus on the Austrian Grand Prix weekend to the home brand, KTM.
The Mattighofen-based company announced two important news this morning: the union with GasGas, which will color the Tech 3 bikes, and the return of Pol Espargaró, who will race under Hervé Poncharal’s orders.
However, the satellite team’s second place remains a question mark. All the more so after the press conference this morning, in which Stefan Pierer assured that he still intends to keep Miguel Oliveira.
“We have practically resubmitted the proposal we made to Miguel. We know that it is not the easiest option, perhaps at the beginning he did not understand what we were offering him, but now with this new project on the table he can understand that we are giving him a role. as an official driver, “said Pierer.
Everything suggests that Oliveira already knows where she will race in 2023 and may have already signed with Aprilia to race with the RNF, Noale’s satellite team from next season. However, this may not be announced before September 1st for contractual reasons.
However, Oliveira admitted that he is still in talks with the Austrian house.
“I spoke to Trunkenpolz and Stefan Pierer before the test – declared Oliveira at the end of FP2 – There is no offer yet, but they insisted that their intention is that I stay with the family.”
“I told them I couldn’t give an answer. I’ll make a decision after the race.”
The news comes as a surprise for Remy Gardner, given so far as the favorite for the second KTM (or GasGas, depending on how you want to see it).
“It’s the first time I’ve heard this news – he says of the negotiation with Oliveira – I don’t really know what to say. I don’t know anything, so I have to keep working and try to do my best”.
The third in contention would be Raúl Fernández, although the Spaniard appears to be more out of the premier class than in for 2023.
“At the moment I have no news about my future,” he said at the end of the second free practice session.
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