Miguel Oliveira's future at KTM has been thrown into serious doubt after the Portuguese star revealed he has turned down their offer of a move to the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing squad for 2023.
The 27-year-old is KTM's most successful premier class rider with four MotoGP™ wins to his name, including their only victory of 2022 so far at the Indonesian Grand Prix. However, he hinted that his four-year stay with the Austrian factory could be coming to an end.
Speaking over the Italian Grand Prix weekend, KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer confirmed the Austrian factory are in talks with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) over a move for 2023, causing him to admit that Oliveira "must be open" to a switch back to their satellite squad next season. But, on Sunday evening in Mugello, Oliveira revealed he will "definitely" not be joining Herve Poncharal's outfit and is instead exploring options elsewhere.
"I am [exploring options outside of KTM]. I told the management that I do not accept the Tech3 spot and I want my factory seat. This not being possible, I will sure take other options into consideration. At the moment there is nothing relevant to add."
When asked for clarification on if he'd ride for Tech3 next year, the Portuguese rider said: "Definitely no. There are still some jobs available, don’t worry."
It begs the question of where Oliveira might end up in 2023 if the factory seat he currently occupies is "not possible" as he admits could be the case. A move to another MotoGP™ factory team looks unlikely as Aprilia have confirmed their 2023 line-up, Lin Jarvis has admitted Fabio Quartararo is set to remain with Franco Morbidelli at Monster Energy Yamaha, Ducati look set to place one of Miller, Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) or Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing) alongside Mugello winner Francesco Bagnaia for next season and Honda continue to be linked with Joan Mir.
We could instead see Oliveria sign for one of the vacant satellite seats. His options appear to be threefold with Razlan Razali confirming WithU RNF Aprilia are on the lookout for a revised line-up, Alex Marquez admitting on Sunday that his LCR Honda seat is in some jeopardy, plus Gresini Racing may need someone to replace a factory-bound Bastianini.