# KTM RC16

The KTM RC16 is a prototype grand prix racing motorcycle which was developed to race in the MotoGP series by KTM, starting from the 2017 season.

## History

The RC16 made its debut as a wildcard entry at the 2016 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix with test rider Mika Kallio. For KTM's return to MotoGP in 2017, their new factory team signed 2009 125cc runner-up, Bradley Smith and the 2013 Moto2 Champion, Pol Espargaró from Monster Yamaha Tech3. Their team principals are Pit Beirer and Aki Ajo who is also Red Bull KTM Ajo's team principal.
On November 18, 2018, the RC16 achieved its first ever podium finish, having finished in 3rd place in the 2018 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix with Pol Espargaró, after starting the race from 6th on the grid. Starting from 2019, the French private team Tech3 became KTM's first satellite team.
For the 2020 season, KTM completely redesigned the RC16 chassis based on feedback from development rider Dani Pedrosa. The upgraded RC16 features a hybrid chassis design (combining elements of twin spar and trellis frame designs) manufactured from steel, and a carbon fibre swingarm. In 2020 Brad Binder achieved KTM's first win as a constructor in the premier MotoGP class at the Czech Grand Prix. Miguel Oliveira took KTM's second race win, and first for satellite team Tech3, just two rounds later at the Styrian Grand Prix. Oliviera repeated the feat for KTM's third victory with a win at the season-closing Portuguese Grand Prix. With a further five third-place podiums from Pol Espargaró, the KTM factory team finished third in the teams' championship and KTM finished fourth in the constructor's championship, ahead of Honda and Aprilia.

## Designation

The motorcycle's name derives from KTM's long-standing usage of the "RC" designation (short for "Road/Competition") for its sportbikes, beginning with the RC8, RC 390, and RC 125 production models and also applied since 2012 to the RC250GP Moto3 machine. The "16" designation is related to the number of valves in the engine (4 valves per cylinder x 4 cylinders), keeping with KTM tradition as used in similars designations such as the former V-twin 1190 RC8 model and the various LC4 single-cylinder models.

## Specifications

Dimensions and weights :
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm |
| Height | 1000 mm |
| Dry weight | 160 kg |
| Tank capacity | 22 L |
| Mechanics ||
| Engine type | four-stroke V4 |
| Displacement (bore, stroke) | 1000 cm$^3$ (Ø81mm, 48.5mm - suspected based on MotoGP bore limits) |
| Cooling system | liquid |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, pneumatic springs, gear drive |
| Fuel induction | digital electronic indirect multi-point port injection |
| Ignition | variable advance CDI |
| ECU | Magneti Marelli (series spec ECU) |
| Power | >265 bhp (198 kW) @ 18,500 rpm |
| Maximum engine speed | 18,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed seamless-shift sequential manual, final chain-drive |
| Starter | push start |
| Exhaust system | Akrapovič titanium twin 2-into-1 system (one per cylinder bank) |
| Electronic strategies | drive by wire, engine braking, traction control, wheelie control, quick shift+ |
| Lubrication | Dry sump. Factory supplied by Motorex (2016–2022) later Mobil 1 (2023–present) and Tech3 supplied by Elf (2019–2023) later Motul (2024–present) |
| Chassis ||
| Frame | Steel hybrid construction, adjustable rake angle and swingarm pivot (2016-2019: tubular steel trellis) |
| Swingarm | Pivoted, carbon fibre construction (2016-2019: aluminium construction) |
| Bodywork | Carbon fibre (Wethje Carbon Composites) |
| Fork | WP Suspension USD |
| Rear suspension | WP Suspension monoshock |
| Brakes, front | 2x 320/340mm carbon or steel discs, Brembo four-piston radial calipers |
| Brakes, rear | steel disc, Brembo twin-piston radial caliper |
| Wheel, front | Marchesini 17"/4.00" forged magnesium rim, Michelin tire |
| Wheel, rear | Marchesini 17"/6.25" forged magnesium rim, Michelin tire |
| Sources: ||

## Complete MotoGP results
### Motorcycle summary

These results are accurate up to the 2023 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix.
* Races won: 7
    2020: Miguel Oliveira 2, Brad Binder 1 (3 in total)
    2021: Brad Binder 1, Miguel Oliveira 1 (2 in total)
    2022: Miguel Oliveira 2 (2 in total)
* Podiums: 24
    2018: Pol Espargaró 1 (1 in total)
    2020: Pol Espargaró 5, Miguel Oliveira 2, Brad Binder 1 (8 in total)
    2021: Miguel Oliveira 3, Brad Binder 1 (4 in total)
    2022: Miguel Oliveira 2, Brad Binder 3 (5 in total)
    2023: Brad Binder 5, Jack Miller 1 (6 in total)
* Poles: 3
    2020: Pol Espargaró 2, Miguel Oliveira 1 (3 in total)
Legend
| Year | Team | Tyres | Riders | Riders | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Races | Riders' standings | Riders' standings | Teams' standings | Teams' standings | Manufacturers' standings |
| Year | Team | Tyres | No. | Name | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Pts | Pos | Pts | Pos | Pts | Pos |
| 2016 | | | | | QAT | ARG | AME | ESP | FRA | ITA | CAT | NED | GER | AUT | CZE | GBR | RSM | ARA | JPN | AUS | MAL | VAL | | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 36 | Mika Kallio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | | | 0 | NC | 0 | NC | 0 | NC |
| 2017 | | | | | QAT | ARG | AME | SPA | FRA | ITA | CAT | NED | GER | CZE | AUT | GBR | RSM | ARA | JPN | AUS | MAL | VAL | | | | | | | | |
| 2017 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 36 | Mika Kallio | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 10 | | | 11 | | | | Ret | | | 11 | 24th | — | — | 69 | 5th |
| 2017 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 38 | Bradley Smith | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 20 | DNS | Ret | 14 | Ret | 18 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 11 | | | 29 | 21st | 84 | 10th | 69 | 5th |
| 2017 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 44 | Pol Espargaró | 16 | 14 | Ret | Ret | 12 | Ret | 18 | 11 | 13 | 9 | Ret | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | Ret | | | 55 | 17th | 84 | 10th | 69 | 5th |
| 2018 | | | | | QAT | ARG | AME | SPA | FRA | ITA | CAT | NED | GER | CZE | AUT | GBR | RSM | ARA | THA | JPN | AUS | MAL | VAL | | | | | | | |
| 2018 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 36 | Mika Kallio | | | | 10 | | | Ret | | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | 25th | — | — | 72 | 5th |
| 2018 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 38 | Bradley Smith | 18 | Ret | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | Ret | 17 | 10 | Ret | 14 | C | 16 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 8 | | 38 | 18th | 89 | 9th | 72 | 5th |
| 2018 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 44 | Pol Espargaró | Ret | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | Ret | DNS | | | Ret | DNS | 21 | 12 | Ret | Ret | 3 | | 51 | 14th | 89 | 9th | 72 | 5th |
| 2018 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 76 | Loris Baz | | | | | | | | | | | | C | | | | | | | | | 0 | NC | 89 | 9th | 72 | 5th |
| 2019 | | | | | QAT | ARG | AME | SPA | FRA | ITA | CAT | NED | GER | CZE | AUT | GBR | RSM | ARA | THA | JPN | AUS | MAL | VAL | | | | | | | |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 5 | Johann Zarco | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 10 | Ret | Ret | 14 | 12 | Ret | 11 | | | | | | | | 27 (30) | 18th | 134 | 8th | 111 | 5th |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 44 | Pol Espargaró | 12 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 11 | Ret | 9 | 7 | DNS | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | | 100 | 11th | 134 | 8th | 111 | 5th |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 82 | Mika Kallio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | Ret | 14 | Ret | 15 | 12 | | 7 | 26th | 134 | 8th | 111 | 5th |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | M | 27 | Iker Lecuona | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | | 0 | NC | 42 | 10th | 111 | 5th |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | M | 55 | Hafizh Syahrin | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 14 | Ret | Ret | 15 | 16 | Ret | Ret | 13 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | | 9 | 23rd | 42 | 10th | 111 | 5th |
| 2019 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | M | 88 | Miguel Oliveira | 17 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 13 | 8 | Ret | 16 | 13 | 16 | 12 | DNS | DNS | | | 33 | 17th | 42 | 10th | 111 | 5th |
| 2020 | | | | | SPA | ANC | CZE | AUT | STY | RSM | EMI | CAT | FRA | ARA | TER | EUR | VAL | POR | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 33 | Brad Binder | 13 | Ret | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | Ret | 11 | 12 | 11 | Ret | 7 | 5 | Ret | | | | | | | 87 | 11th | 222 | 3rd | 200 | 4th |
| 2020 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 44 | Pol Espargaró | 6 | 7 | Ret | Ret | 3 | 10 | 3 | Ret | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | | | | | | | 135 | 5th | 222 | 3rd | 200 | 4th |
| 2020 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | M | 27 | Iker Lecuona | Ret | Ret | Ret | 9 | 10 | 14 | Ret | 14 | 15 | 14 | 9 | | WD | | | | | | | | 27 | 20th | 152 | 7th | 200 | 4th |
| 2020 | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | M | 88 | Miguel Oliveira | 8 | Ret | 6 | Ret | 1 | 11 | 5 | Ret | 6 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 1 | | | | | | | 125 | 9th | 152 | 7th | 200 | 4th |
| 2021 | | | | | QAT | DOH | POR | SPA | FRA | ITA | CAT | GER | NED | STY | AUT | GBR | ARA | RSM | AME | EMI | ALR | VAL | | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 26 | Dani Pedrosa | | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | 25th | — | — | 205 | 5th |
| 2021 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 33 | Brad Binder | 14 | 8 | 5 | Ret | 13 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 7 | | | 151 | 6th | 245 | 6th | 205 | 5th |
| 2021 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 88 | Miguel Oliveira | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | Ret | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Ret | Ret | 16 | 14 | 20 | 11 | Ret | Ret | 14 | | | 94 | 14th | 245 | 6th | 205 | 5th |
| 2021 | Tech3 KTM Factory Racing | M | 9 | Danilo Petrucci | Ret | 19 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 9 | Ret | Ret | 13 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 18 | Ret | Ret | 18 | | | 37 | 21st | 76 | 11th | 205 | 5th |
| 2021 | Tech3 KTM Factory Racing | M | 27 | Iker Lecuona | 17 | Ret | 15 | 17 | 9 | 11 | Ret | 17 | Ret | 15 | 6 | 7 | 11 | Ret | 16 | Ret | Ret | 15 | | | 39 | 20th | 76 | 11th | 205 | 5th |
| 2022 | | | | | QAT | INA | ARG | AME | POR | SPA | FRA | ITA | CAT | GER | NED | GBR | AUT | RSM | ARA | JPN | THA | AUS | MAL | VAL | | | | | | |
| 2022 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 33 | Brad Binder | 2 | 8 | 6 | 13 | Ret | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 188 | 6th | 337 | 2nd | 240 | 4th |
| 2022 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 88 | Miguel Oliveira | Ret | 1 | 13 | 18 | 5 | 12 | Ret | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 149 | 10th | 337 | 2nd | 240 | 4th |
| 2022 | Tech3 KTM Factory Racing | M | 25 | Raúl Fernández | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | DNS | WD | Ret | 21 | 15 | 12 | Ret | 21 | 18 | 13 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 22nd | 14 | 27 | 12th | 240 | 4th |
| 2022 | Tech3 KTM Factory Racing | M | 87 | Remy Gardner | 15 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 20 | Ret | 19 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 19 | Ret | 15 | 18 | 13 | 23rd | 13 | 27 | 12th | 240 | 4th |
| 2023 | | | | | POR | ARG | AME | SPA | FRA | ITA | GER | NED | GBR | AUT | CAT | RSM | IND | JPN | INA | AUS | THA | MAL | QAT | VAL | | | | | | |
| 2023 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 26 | Dani Pedrosa | | | | 7$^6$ | | | | | | | | 4$^6$ | | | | | | | | | 32 | 19th | — | — | 373 | 2nd |
| 2023 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 33 | Brad Binder | 6 | 17$^1$ | 13$^5$ | 2$^1$ | 6$^2$ | 5 | Ret$^6$ | 4$^5$ | 3$^9$ | 2$^2$ | Ret$^4$ | 14$^5$ | 4$^4$ | Ret$^2$ | 6 | 4 | 3$^2$ | Ret$^5$ | 5$^7$ | 3$^2$ | 293 | 4th | 456 | 4th | 373 | 2nd |
| 2023 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | M | 43 | Jack Miller | 7$^4$ | 6 | Ret$^9$ | 3$^3$ | Ret | 7$^6$ | 6$^3$ | Ret | 8$^7$ | 15$^5$ | 8 | Ret | 14$^7$ | 6$^4$ | 7$^9$ | 7 | 16 | 8$^6$ | 9 | Ret | 163 | 11th | 456 | 4th | 373 | 2nd |
| 2023 | GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 | M | 37 | Augusto Fernández | 13 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 4 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 11$^8$ | 14 | 9 | 16 | Ret | 7 | Ret | Ret | 17 | 14 | 15$^9$ | Ret | 71 | 17th | 95 | 11th | 373 | 2nd |
| 2023 | GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 | M | 44 | Pol Espargaró | DNS | | | | | | | | 12 | 16$^6$ | Ret | Ret | 13 | 15 | Ret | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 23rd | 95 | 11th | 373 | 2nd |
| 2023 | GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 | M | 94 | Jonas Folger | | | 12 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 25th | 95 | 11th | 373 | 2nd |
* Season still in progress.