Over the course of the 2021 MotoGP season KTM strengthened their team with Fabiano Sterlacchini , who previously worked for Ducati. In this way, the Austrians restructured the project, and the brand feels ready to find maximum performance.
Sterlacchini ‘s task in 2022 corresponds to that of optimally coordinating the different departments of chassis, engine, shock absorbers, electronics, etc., under the role of a technical director responsible for the general gear of the team.
“Fabiano is now the clear head of the technical aspect,” says Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director. “Because everyone has already shown that they can build a winning bike.”
“Fabiano does not come to us to show us how we have to work, but”, he insists, “he is an engineer with magnificent qualities”.
“We have a lot of good people who understand both sides. What the racing team needs on the track on one side and what the whole group needs to do at home on the other. Coordinate that with all the experience that goes into it.”
The RC16 for the 2022 MotoGP season is not a completely new bike like the Honda RC213V. During winter testing, KTM focused on optimizing certain aspects of the package already developed, and riders like Miguel Oliveira believe it will be a while before the behind-the-scenes personnel changes show up in real results on track.
“Fabiano is an excellent addition. I think he will be able to help us well,” confirms Miguel. “But it takes time before seeing the results. He is currently trying to get to know the project, what the bike needs and what we riders want.”
“We talk a lot,” said the Portuguese. “And I certainly think he will be an important step for us.”
“Fabiano is a great guy,” added Brad Binder. “It’s great to have him on our team. He is a calm person and analyzes everything. At the end of last year he was looking at everything and now we are starting to bring the new ideas.”
“It struck me that with him it is very good to analyze our situation: where we are strong and where we are losing. We are not chasing things that will not make us faster. He is focused, and above all, he is focused on the right areas.”
According to Beirer, Sterlacchini is also ultimately “part of the motivational drive” currently being felt at the company. And it is that, after seven months, KTM is very impressed with what Sterlacchini has brought to the team.
