Circumstances worked against Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Moto3™ riders in the seventh round of the 2026 World Championship at the Mugello Circuit this weekend. Despite fighting among a massive lead group thanks to a fantastic start and aggressive opening, Valentín Perrone finished just outside the points in 18th and just over five seconds back of the winner when struggling with some transmission issues.
Grand Prix of Italy
The same could be said of team-mate Rico Salmela, who responded to a tricky Saturday qualifying session by gaining a stunning eleven places in an all-action opening. Having got himself inside the top ten, he suffered a fast crash on lap seven but walked away unharmed.
Practice
In contrast to the rest of the weekend, the Mugello circuit was cold and wet on Friday morning after heavy morning showers. Salmela used the 30 minute-session to up his experience aboard his KTM RC250GP on a wet track as he placed 13th, with Perrone was six places back.
The afternoon’s Practice session offered up the first chance for the 26-rider field to dial their dry settings in around the 5.25km layout. After trying some different settings, Perrone ensured his place in Q2 thanks to a stellar late time, which put him fifth, while his Finnish team-mate was 19th.
Qualifying
After Friday’s rain, Saturday’s 30-minute FP2 took on added importance, as the Tech3 duo tried out some overnight tweaks. It was a morning of promise for Salmela, whose fastest lap was enough for third.
Come qualifying, track temperatures had soared to 49 degrees. Perrone’s early run was strong as he set a 1’55.779 on his second flying lap. But the Argentine and several others didn’t exit pit lane with enough time to start a final flying lap, meaning he was 16th at the close of Q2. Meanwhile Salmela couldn’t get out of Q1, with his 1’56.553 good enough for eighth, which meant 22nd place on the grid.
Race
Front tyre strategy proved decisive, with most Moto3 riders choosing softs while the Tech3 pair opted for mediums for durability over 17 laps. Both benefited early from David Almansa’s withdrawal, gaining a grid position and making strong starts - Salmela jumping to 11th and Perrone to 13th.
In a tightly packed lead group, Perrone moved into the top ten by lap five, just behind his team-mate. However, Salmela’s impressive charge ended in a crash at Turn 5.
Perrone was forced to slow to avoid the incident, losing contact with the lead group and later struggling with gear changes. He finished 18th, just over five seconds behind winner Brian Uriarte.
The team now looks ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park Circuit, with Red Bull KTM Tech3 holding fifth in the Teams’ Championship.
Valentin Perrone: "From the start of the weekend I was struggling a bit with the feeling on the bike, but we worked through it step by step and by Saturday I was able to understand the bike better, even if the pace wasn’t yet where we want it.
"In the race I had a good start and tried to move forward, but I was quickly at the limit, and it was difficult to overtake, especially on the straights. Later, I also had some issues with the gears, which made things more complicated. At the moment we’re not in our best position, but I know my potential and what we can achieve. We’ll keep working and aim to come back stronger in the next races.”
Rico Salmela: "Today’s race was positive until the crash. We had a difficult qualifying by ourselves on the track, but I feel like I learned a lot. I started from P21 today, but I made a strong start and quickly found a good rhythm. I felt comfortable on the bike - one of the best feelings I’ve had this season - and was able to move up into the top 10.
“Unfortunately, I lost the rear, and we need to analyse exactly what happened, but there are a lot of positives to take. We’re starting to show real speed, and now it’s about putting everything together and being more consistent. I want to thank the team for their great work this weekend. We’ll take this momentum forward and aim to come back stronger at the next race."
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Brian Uriarte (SPA), Liqui Moly Dynavolt Inteact GP, 1'54.862
2. Hakim Danish (MAL), AEON Credit - MT Helmets - MSI, +0.018
3. Joel Kelso (AUS), GRYD Mlav Racing, +0.125
16. Valentín Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.917
22. Rico Salmela (FIN), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.979 (Q1)
RACE RESULTS
1. Brian Uriarte (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, 33'07.801
2. Álvaro Carpe (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, +0.418
3. Hakim Danish (MAL), AEON Credit - MT Helmets - MSI, +0.456
18. Valentín Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +5.636
DNF. Rico Salmela (FIN), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 11 Laps
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Maximo Quiles (SPA), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team, 145 pts
2. Álvaro Carpe (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, 93 pts
3. Adrián Fernández (SPA), Leopard Racing, 89 pts
7. Valentín Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 56 pts
17. Rico Salmela (FIN), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 21 pts
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - D. Alonso (SPA) - 1'53.926 - 165.7 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - C. Viejer (NED) - 1'54.738 - 164.5 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'54.194 - 165.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2026 - G. Pini (ITA) - 252.9 - km/h
