The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider, after 4 podiums and a Pole Position, reflects on the first half of 2026 in a mid-season interview.

Alvaro Carpe has always been a talented and fast rider with a strong desire to improve, day by day, race by race, and year by year. Following his debut in 2025, the Spaniard finished fourth in the overall standings, with five podium finishes – a truly remarkable achievement for a rookie rider in the Moto3 World Championship. Now, with the first half of the 2026 season completed, Carpe has four podium finishes and 126 points, which puts him third in the overall standings. One thing that still eludes the Spaniard is a first Grand Prix win, which is his main objective for the second half of the campaign, apart from showing consistency until the last round.

– One Pole Position and four podiums later, you are third on the standings. Was this the start to the season you were hoping for?

In some ways, yes. We’ve worked well, we’ve continued to evolve, we’ve had some pretty good races, and I’m sure there are more to come. On the other hand, we’re still waiting for our first victory, but these things happen, and sometimes everything doesn’t quite align. I know we’ve been having some very good Sundays, and in addition to four podium finishes we’ve been quite consistently in the leading group, so in that respect, I think we’ve delivered on what we set out to do.

– In the US Grand Prix, you seemed incredibly hungry after repeating P4 in Thailand and Brazil. How did you approach that weekend?

In the United States, the weekend went quite well for me overall. I really liked the circuit last year, and this year we were able to enjoy it a lot as well. I felt very good and was comfortable and fast on the bike. Whether I was riding alone or in a group, I felt like one of the strongest riders there. On the Sunday, we went for the win, and we almost got it. I think we should have done a bit better on that last lap. I arrived in Austin really motivated after just missing out on the podium in the previous two races. I wanted to do well and show our potential, and we came very close to finishing the weekend in the best possible way.

– How important is it for you to achieve your first win?

That win would help me a lot mentally, I think, but as I always say, we shouldn’t stress about it too much, since I’m clear about the potential we have. The most important thing is to maintain consistency and keep fighting for the win whenever possible; that way, it is sure to come. Obviously, you always want to win and do better than before, but that victory is something that can come at any moment, even when you least expect it. And if it doesn’t, it’s okay; you have to keep working and keep believing in yourself, because there are many people behind us who will be doing that.

– The team showed a strong performance during the first half of the year. You’re working also with Brian, especially on Q2. What is your relationship like with him?

My relationship with my teammate is pretty good. We get along very well, and we can work together a lot now that he’s taken such a solid step up to be competitive at any circuit. I’ve known Brian for years; we’ve been competing against each other for a long time, but now that we share a garage, I think we learn from each other, and that’s vital for both of our growth. Overall, I’m quite happy to have a teammate like him and that the level he gives us is so competitive.

– This season you already know all the circuits, except Brazil. How have you approached the Grands Prix now?

Arriving at a circuit you know and where you already have experience in the World Championship is vital, so you have to try to take full advantage of that, both in practice and in the races. It’s actually in that final stretch of the race where that experience is most noticeable. Undoubtedly, arriving at a circuit with knowledge of it in the class you’re competing in is a huge benefit.

– Which race so far this year stands out for you, and which race would you change if you could?

I think I’d choose Barcelona because getting a podium finish in a race like that, at home in Spain, is always very enjoyable and important. The weekend wasn’t easy, but we were able to fight back well, especially on the last two laps. It was a pretty tough end to the race, but I was able to dig deep. As for what I would change, I think I’d prefer not to change any outcome, since you always learn from any situation and any decision, whether right or wrong.

– With 126 points, you’re third on the standings, with the team in second place. After a positive start of the season, what are your goals for the rest of the season?

We maintain the same objective for the remainder of the season, which is to achieve our first victory, in addition to our usual goals: Trying to be at the front in every race, as well as showing consistency, improvement in our work, and progress in our project with the team. You always have to push yourself to keep working hard, improve in every possible area, and minimise any weaknesses to get better every day.

With more experience, maturity and consistency than last year, Alvaro will try these things could work in his favour in the second half of the season, where he experienced some ups and downs last year. With victory firmly in his sights and the aim of leading the team back to the top alongside Brian Uriarte, the Spaniard is already prepared to face the final eleven Grand Prix of 2026. After the summer break, the Spaniard will return to action at Silverstone, where last year he achieved a remarkable one-two finish alongside Jose Antonio Rueda in Qualifying. This year’s British Grand Prix will take place from August 7th to 9th.