Kallio "needs to show something different" to keep KTM ride
KTM MotoGP rider Mika Kallio accepts he needs "to show something different" if he is to remain part of the Austrian manufacturer's full-time rider line-up for 2020.
A long-time KTM tester, Kallio was drafted in to replace Johann Zarco two races ago, but finished out of the points in Aragon and crashed out of the Thailand Grand Prix.
Having admitted in the lead-up to the race that he was "not happy at all" with his current performance, Kallio said nailing down the ride for 2020 remained the target, but stressed he needed to up his game.
"Anyway, first of all we need to finish this season, and to have that place [for 2020] I think we need to show something different than what we did today," Kallio said. "I need to finish the race and to be in the better positions."
Kallio looked to have made a step forward thanks to a "modification" during Sunday warm-up, and had just overtaken LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow for 16th when he crashed out on Turn 8 on the fourth lap.
"What can I say? Really disappointed for the thing that happened, and of course it's always some type of mistake of the rider if you crash, but we saw from the data what happened and it wasn't that clear really why I lost the front," he continued.
"On Turn 8, last part of the braking, I felt [something] like a small bump on the track and then suddenly I lost a little bit the grip on the front and that's it.
"The margins are always really tiny, and of course I was pushing, I was trying to catch the guys on the front, and actually the start was really good first of all, I managed to gain a few positions there, and then the first two-three laps was quite positive, let's say.
"I felt better on the bike when the tank was full, the bike was heavier and somehow I got more load and the grip feeling with the tyres.
"And that's why it's really a shame we couldn't make any more laps to see how we could manage the tyres and how we could make the race.
"Sorry for KTM, because we of course don't really want to finish the weekend like this. It's racing, of course, always you can crash - now we just need to forget this somehow and try to focus for the next ones."
Mika Kallio, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Previous article
Marquez: Quartararo riding Yamaha like Lorenzo at his peak
Next article
Why Honda must now split with Lorenzo
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Event | Thailand GP |
| Sub-event | Race |
| Drivers | Mika Kallio |
| Teams | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
