What Valentino Rossi is doing to persuade Pedro Acosta to join his VR46 MotoGP team

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Pedro Acosta is one of the hottest properties in MotoGP right now after a dazzling rookie season. And KTM’s financial woes mean he might soon be available.

KTM as a company are facing more than £2bn of debt. While they’re committed to racing in MotoGP for 2025 – they’ve already scheduled a bike launch for the end of the month – their future beyond that is in doubt.

The company’s bosses, together with their advisors, may conclude that they have no option but to withdraw from the premier class. That would likely spark a battle among the other four manufacturers to land Acosta.

Acosta, who won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award by default, finished sixth in the championship with 215 points. Impressively, he was just two behind the experienced lead KTM rider in Brad Binder.

The 20-year-old became the third-youngest polesitter in MotoGP history when he set the fastest time in Japanese Grand Prix qualifying in October. He also scored five podiums.

On the flip side, Acosta had the most crashes of any rider in 2024. But the Spaniard, who’s graduated from Tech3 to the KTM factory team, has shown he has the speed necessary to become a champion.

Valentino Rossi holding talks with Pedro Acosta at 100km of Champions

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has sensed an opportunity to bring Acosta to his VR46 team. He invited the youngster to attend his 100km of Champions race in Tavullia.

Rivals like Francesco Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini and Marco Bezzecchi were also in attendance. But it was Acosta that Rossi was really interested in.

Both parties seemed keen to have an ‘exchange of words’ about the future. Rossi, who won seven MotoGP titles, has a clear vision for Acosta.

He’s ‘targeting the big shot’ of luring him to VR46, and wants to get a move done ‘as soon as possible’. This could be Acosta’s ticket to a currently dominant Ducati bike.

Pedro Acosta and his manager haven’t returned to KTM factory since crunch talks

Acosta has been making ‘moves’ behind the scenes, forming contingency plans in case KTM withdraw – or their off-track crisis affects their performance. His conversations with Rossi are his latest strategic manoeuvre.

A difficult 2025 season could test his loyalty. KTM helped Acosta escape from ‘hell’ by taking him on, but many elite athletes have short memories by necessity.

The Austrian outfit are clearly aware of the risk of losing him. They invited him to their factory to provide assurances about next year.

Acosta and his manager haven’t returned to KTM’s base since, which suggests they may be satisfied with the team’s immediate development plans. The new bike will make its official debut at the Thai Grand Prix on 2 March.