Enea Bastianini's debut with KTM at the Thailand Grand Prix turned out to be anything but smooth. The Italian rider, who shifted from Ducati to the KTM Tech3 team, faced significant challenges adjusting to the KTM RC16, which did not seem to match his riding style, favoring speed over apex.
After months of speculation, it had become clear during the practice sessions leading up to the race weekend in Buriram, Thailand, on March 1, 2025, just how unresolved Bastianini's situation was. "I gained a bit of confidence because we worked on the settings yesterday. But at the moment, not much is happening. I would rate my feeling at about 1 out of 10," he reported, highlighting the difficulties of acclimatizing to the new bike.
Surprisingly, Bastianini ended the practice session in 19th place. This was a significant disappointment, considering such standings often reflect riders' performance as they prepare for qualifying. A result like this meant he would need to navigate through Q1, but Bastianini's focus was not on the Q1 challenge. Instead, his priority lay with comprehensively familiarizing himself with the KTM, stating, "I hope to gain positions immediately, but it's a long process." His words reflected the uphill battle he faced as he sought to adjust, not only to the motorcycle but also to the routine of the team.
While transitioning from Ducati, Bastianini had already expressed concerns over the size of the bike components, with him asserting, "For me, it would be important to have a smaller seat, as this one is too large, making it hard for me to position my legs and feet properly. But so far, this piece hasn't arrived, and I think we will have to wait." His frustrations were compounded by the fact he had not yet secured the personalized settings typically addressed before official racing begins.
The challenges did not end with Bastianini alone; his teammate Maverick Viñales also struggled over the course of the weekend. Viñales finished 14th during the sprint race, meaning he too had failed to break the top ten, reflecting the broader difficulties facing the Tech3 team. Team manager Nicolas Goyon noted, "This first Sprint of the season for the team Test itself wasn't the start we hoped for. We know both Maverick and Enea are learning to handle new motorcycles, so we need patience." His acknowledgment emphasized the team's need to adapt swiftly.
Bastianini, determined not to let his struggles dictate the day, remarked post-race on his performance: "This first Sprint has been disaster. We made many mistakes today; it hasn’t been easy. But we have to fight, try to do our best. We will see how the bike performs over the longer distance tomorrow, then we can move forward." His emphasis on learning reflects the ethos of many riders who face similar transitions.
A curious aspect of the weekend has been Bastianini's relative comparison to Pedro Acosta, who was able to achieve respectable results on the same equipment. Despite similarities, Bastianini pointedly acknowledged his struggles: "I haven’t seen his data yet, but unlike me, he manages to brake well with his motorcycle. Until I find confidence on the brakes, I won’t make it, and I will continue to lose time." This competition between teammates highlights the pressure on Bastianini to perform against peer expectations.
Describing his performance, he noted, "It is mainly the turns, especially the last one, where I struggle. Out of the 22 laps I did today, I only managed it once. When it’s like this, the situation becomes challenging, but it also means I can improve significantly." Bastianini's optimistic view points to his awareness of the potential for growth, even amid discomfort.
Further compounding the difficulties was Bastianini's transition period, now evident as he stated, "At the moment, I haven't done any actual race simulation. I've made so many mistakes, breaking my rhythm on the bike: I don't know the true potential of the KTM yet. Tomorrow I might find out, but I think we need to wait until Sunday when the Grand Prix takes place." His acknowledgments reflect the challenges of competitive muscle memory and adjustment to new machines.
With nerves high and questions looming about performance, this weekend’s results for both Bastianini and his Tech3 teammate have set the stage for what is expected to be a substantial transformation period. The call for patience speaks volumes as the squad pushes through these initial struggles to find their footing.
While expectations may have been high for Bastianini and the Tech3 team, reality paints a contrasting picture. Nonetheless, the road to success for this newcomer lies not only in immediate results but also through consistent hard work and refinement of their approach on the track. With each lap, the potential for resurgence remains promising.
What remains is to watch how quickly the team and Bastianini can bridge the gap to contend effectively, marking the next steps on the learning curve with the KTM RC16 as they prepare for the long race of the day following this build-up of uncertainty.