Pedro Acosta is yet to reach the podium for KTM’s factory MotoGP team but he must feel that a breakthrough is coming soon.
Recently, the Austrian outfit have been more competitive and consistent in MotoGP races. Arriving in Europe seems to have been a good thing for KTM and their riders.
Acosta has finished higher than eighth in each of his last four races, and came just a few laps from achieving a podium at the French Grand Prix, but was stripped of third late in the race by arch-rival Fermin Aldeguer.
After a slow start to the campaign, Acosta has been ‘suffering’ at KTM in 2025. They have struggled particularly in qualifying, leaving themselves with a lot of work to do on a Sunday. It’s not a great recipe for long-term success.
The Spaniard is limited in his options for the future too. KTM ‘restricted’ one part of Acosta’s contract by not allowing him to have an exit clause like Jorge Martin. They wanted to avoid the MotoGP rider market chaos that happens every year.
READ MORE: Pedro Acosta ‘a little disappointed’ after what he saw from Maverick Vinales at Silverstone
Pedro Acosta says KTM’s British Grand Prix result ‘annoying’ for his ‘best’ ever MotoGP race
Acosta may be worried about KTM’s future amid financial woes that have plagued them for well over six months. Their factories have been affected by shutdowns and their commitment to motorsport only extends until the end of 2026 on two wheels.
Honda could target a frustrated Acosta, but they would have to pay to release him from his current deal early. It would be a costly procedure for them.
Speaking ahead of the Grand Prix of Aragon, Acosta spoke about how his previous race at the British Grand Prix was his ‘best’ ride ever, and left him frustrated to secure just sixth place.
“If we have a race like the last one, to fight for a top-five finish, I’d be happy. We have the bike for that now. To be happy, I need to be close to the podium,” he told the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com.
“Silverstone was the best race I’ve had in MotoGP, and it earned me sixth place. That’s what’s annoying. But I’m sure things will go better for me, because racing has been going very well for me for a long time.”
Acosta managed two podiums in his first three races during his rookie season with Tech3 last year. He really burst onto the scene and there was a lot of excitement about his talents.
At the age of 20, he still has a lot to learn and he recognises that. Acosta looks up to Maverick Vinales at KTM in a bid to draw things from his experience.
Vinales has been KTM’s most impressive rider in 2025, coming close to winning in Qatar and reliably challenging for the top five positions recently.
He has found a way to make their bike work on track, and now it’s up to Acosta to try and emulate his fellow countryman.
