The absence of a KTM wildcard entry at Jerez this weekend - and the expectation it might not make use of any at all during the 2025 season - has only added to the intrigue surrounding the current state of its MotoGP project.
KTM enjoyed a major palette-cleanser in Maverick Vinales' ride to an on-the-road second place in Qatar a fortnight ago - which, though negated by a post-race tyre pressure penalty, served as a proof of concept performance for a 2025 RC16 bike that had otherwise really failed to impress.
The KTM's potential overall remains uncertain, especially in light of talisman rider Pedro Acosta planning to continue with what he has described as a 2024 bike - which he first switched to in Qatar, and which gives him better confidence on braking - until something in the development pipeline gives him a good reason not to.
Acosta also stressed, however, that all of KTM's riders are currently going into battle on different specs of bikes, which has only added to the clouded picture.
And all of that exists against the backdrop of KTM's financial troubles, as while the company's immediate future - after the process of self-administration - has been safeguarded it has not suddenly become flush with cash.
It's that situation that means eyebrows are raised up and down the MotoGP pitlane over the fact KTM - which as a 'Rank C' manufacturer is entitled to six wildcards a season - is not making use of a test rider entry at Jerez.
The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, the start of the 'European season', is a logical wildcard spot, also as it is followed by a post-race test on Monday.
KTM deployed Dani Pedrosa there in 2023 and 2024 but this year it’s the only manufacturer with a wildcard allowance that won’t have a test rider racing at Jerez.
Ducati can't have Michele Pirro race because it isn't permitted any wildcards as a 'Rank A' manufacturer. But Honda will wildcard with Aleix Espargaro, while Yamaha and Aprilia have Augusto Fernandez and Lorenzo Savadori racing as injury stand-ins - although both, or at least definitely Fernandez, will have presumably run as wildcards otherwise.
KTM motorsport boss Pit Beirer told Speedweek.com of its MotoGP wildcard plans: "We have none at the moment.
"We have the possibility, but it's not our priority."
Beirer argued that KTM is getting enough race weekend information from its four race riders, and that the test team already has a "brutal" programme.
He also says he has "noticed" that the preparations for a wildcard serve as a needless distraction to test riders in terms of their primary work. Pedrosa has been the benchmark for competitive wildcards in recent years, matching or outperforming KTM’s regular riders and running in the top six - including a podium finish at last year's Jerez sprint.
Beirer did tell Speedweek.com that a final decision on wildcards in 2025 has not yet been taken. But The Race understands some in KTM's MotoGP test team - surprised by the situation - are now not expecting to be deployed for racing this season.
Acosta said when asked about a potential absence of wildcards by The Race: "Well... I think that... I don't really know, I don't know if it will make a big change.
"The important thing is that they started to make many tests, trying many new things, and trying to develop the bike as fast as possible.
"I don't really know if it will be better or worse if they don't make wildcards. Ask Pit if it's better or not."
