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| Why KTM Hasn't Used Wild Cards in the 2025 MotoGP Season Yet – Strategic Decision or Missed Opportunity?. |
After completing ten rounds in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, KTM has yet to take advantage of its available wild card entries—a move that’s raising questions among fans and analysts alike. With Ducati unable to use wild cards due to its top-tier (A) classification under MotoGP’s concession rules, KTM, which currently sits in category C alongside Aprilia, has the opportunity to deploy up to six wild cards per season. But so far, they’ve chosen not to use a single one.
What Is a Wild Card in MotoGP and Why Does It Matter?
In MotoGP, a wild card entry allows manufacturers to field a test rider in selected Grand Prix races. These appearances are especially useful for evaluating new parts or setups in actual race conditions—data that can’t always be replicated in private testing sessions. Wild cards also give manufacturers flexibility to innovate without the same technical restrictions applied to regular full-time race entries.
While Ducati is restricted from using wild cards because of its performance dominance, KTM is fully eligible to bring in its test riders—yet hasn’t done so in 2025.
Why Are Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro Still Sidelined?
KTM has two very experienced test riders: Dani Pedrosa, a MotoGP legend, and Pol Espargaro, who transitioned to a testing role after retiring from full-time competition.
Pedrosa last raced as a wild card in Jerez back in 2024. Espargaro, meanwhile, had three wild card appearances in 2023. But since KTM’s recent financial restructuring, both riders have continued working strictly behind the scenes in testing roles, with no wild card appearances so far this season.
Is Skipping Wild Cards Hurting KTM’s MotoGP Progress?
When asked whether the absence of wild card entries has affected the team’s performance, factory rider Brad Binder didn’t seem too concerned.
“I think the only cool thing about having wild cards is that they get to try something completely different, because they don't fall entirely under our rule book,” Binder said, referring to the more relaxed homologation rules for wild card bikes.
“At the end of the day, it all leads back to the same goal—improving the bike. So I don’t think it’s been a disadvantage.”
Binder also emphasized the experience KTM has on its testing team: “Both of our test riders have done a ton of race laps. They know exactly what they’re doing.”
KTM’s On-Track Performance in the 2025 MotoGP Season
Even without wild card input, KTM has shown moments of promise. Their best race finishes so far have been fourth place, earned by both Pedro Acosta and Maverick Viñales. Viñales also crossed the line in second place in Qatar, but received a post-race penalty for a tire pressure violation, costing the team what would’ve been their first podium of the year.
In the current constructors' standings, KTM sits in third place, over 200 points behind Ducati, but just 8 points behind Aprilia. Honda trails KTM by only 9 points, while Yamaha is trying to catch up from fifth position.
So far this season, race wins have been dominated by Ducati (8 victories), with Aprilia and Honda each claiming one win. Yamaha came close with Fabio Quartararo finishing second in Jerez, although he later retired while leading at Silverstone due to a mechanical issue.
Is KTM Playing the Long Game?
While some fans may be disappointed not to see Pedrosa or Espargaro back on the grid, KTM’s decision could be part of a long-term development strategy. By focusing their efforts solely on private testing and race weekends with full-time riders, they may be aiming for consistency and control over innovation.
Still, with six wild card entries available and world-class riders in their corner, it’s fair to wonder if KTM is missing out on valuable insights that real race conditions can offer. Will they change their approach before the season ends? We’ll have to wait and see.