Red Bull KTM Ajo and Red Bull KTM Tech3 will integrate two rookies into their line-ups for the 2026 Moto3 world championship and with the all-conquering KTM RC4: a technical base that has won all fifteen rounds of the 2025 campaign to-date. Brian Uriarte joins Alvaro Carpe in Ajo colors while Rico Salmela will race alongside Valentin Perrone at Tech3.
Brian Uriarte confirmed ownership of the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at Misano recently for what was the finale of the popular youth contest. The 17-year-old Spaniard, who hails from Santander, came through the European Talent Cup series and finished as 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup runner-up. In 2025 he posted seven victories to vie for the crown and then confirmed P1 in Misano, joining a prestigious list of former winners who are now in Grand Prix; names like Pedro Acosta, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alvaro Carpe, Angel Piqueras, David Alonso. Uriarte has also been setting the standard in this year’s FIM JuniorGP by walking the top step of the rostrum five times with rounds taking place on Grand Prix circuits in Spain, France and Italy.
Salmela will enjoy the distinction of being the only Finnish rider active in the MotoGP paddock in 2026. The 17-year-old will compete alongside Perrone, who is currently negotiating his own Moto3 debut charge in 2025 and has already grasped trophies. Salmela gained four podiums in the 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup before switching his focus to FIM JuniorGP in 2025 where he registered five consecutive top three results.
Brian Uriarte: “I’m very proud to be part of the Red Bull KTM Ajo family. First of all, I would like to thank Aki, Niklas and all the KTM and Red Bull staff for giving me this opportunity. Right now, it’s the best team on the grid, as you can see from the results they are achieving and their history over the years, and it has always been a dream to join this team. I’m very happy to have won the Red Bull Rookies Cup title, and we still have some FIM JuniorGP rounds in the horizon, which will help me to keep preparing for this new stage. I would also like to thank everyone who has contributed to this, especially Emilio Alzamora, my family and sponsors, for all the work they are doing for me. I can’t wait to get on the bike for the first time and meet the new team!”
Rico Salmela: “Really happy about the news. This season has been good and has paid-off because I’m going to one of the best teams in the paddock; it’s really nice! It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that there is a lot of experience and Tech3 is a top level team. I cannot ask for more. I’ll do my best during the winter to prepare myself in the best way for 2026. Thanks to all the people behind me and helping me. Also, a big, big thank you to KTM, Red Bull and Tech3 for giving me the chance in Moto3.”
Niklas Ajo, Red Bull KTM Ajo Team Manager: “We’re extremely happy to sign Brian for 2026. We’ve been keeping a close eye on him already for many years and he has shown that he’s one of the most promising and talented riders of his generation, being able to come through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, fighting for the title in 2024 and achieving the crown in 2025. We’re very proud to have him on board in our project – proud as well of our ongoing program with Red Bull and KTM to give these opportunities – and I’m sure that we have a bright future ahead working together. Also, we’re very happy to continue with Alvaro next year as well. I believe they’ll be one of the strongest pairings in Moto3 next year.”
Herve Poncharal, Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Principal: “We are proud to announce the signing of Rico Salmela. I have been following him closely all year-long. He is a talented youngster, fighting all races with the top riders, and he is having a fantastic season in JuniorGP so far. It is the perfect moment for him to step up in Moto3 as he joins Valentin to form a young, exciting and quite unusual Finnish-Argentinean duo. I am sure that they will both help each other a lot. We are extremely happy that our close relationship with both KTM and Red Bull will continue to give us the perfect platform to welcome the best riders of the next generation.”
Posted on September 22, 2025 by Michael Le Pard
