Pedro Acosta explains why he hates being called ‘the new Marc Marquez’ amid MotoGP hype

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Pedro Acosta has made a serious impression in MotoGP after his incredible rookie season with Tech3.

The Spaniard made the step up to the premier class in 2024 with significant hype surrounding him. The 20-year-old won the Moto2 Championship the year prior and won Moto3 in 2021 as a rookie.

Acosta joined satellites KTM team Tech3 and partnered with Augustin Fernandez. While his fellow compatriot managed just 66 points all season, the 20-year-old showed why the hype was justified.

Finishing third in his second race in MotoGP at Portimao, Acosta grabbed five podiums and finished sixth in the standings. His impressive performances helped KTM beat Aprilia for second in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Spaniard finished just two points behind factory KTM rider Brad Binder, who only managed one podium all year but was consistently in the points. Binder was in awe of Acosta’s braking on the KTM bike – the South African will have his work cut out when the two face off at the factory team in 2025.

Pedro Acosta says he is ‘the next Pedro Acosta’ – not the next Marc Marquez

Acosta’s performances in Grand Prix racing thus far have seen him being compared to Marc Marquez. Many view the 20-year-old as being ‘the next Marquez’ with his incredible potential.

After his 2024 season, it is not hard to see why these comparisons are being drawn. Acosta certainly has the talent to become a world champion in the future.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend

But the Spaniard hates being seen as ‘the next Marquez’. Speaking on episode three of MotoGP’s documentary series There Can Be Only One, Acosta says people expect too much of him.

“I’m the new Pedro Acosta, not the new Marc Marquez, you know?” he said before the season started.

“Everyone is expecting too much, everyone is expecting too much. People are like this because it’s easy to dream”.

Michelle Pirro wants to tempt Pedro Acosta to join Ducati

Acosta will be looking to build upon his rookie season with the factory KTM team in 2025. But his season has been thrown into uncertainty amid the manufacturer’s desperate financial crisis.

With KTM reporting debts of around £2.5bn, the company’s future is in major doubt. CEO Stefan Pierer has left his position amid the crisis, which could be ‘good news’ for KTM as the Austrian was not the man to save them.

The Austrian outfit’s issues off the track have led to concerns that their performance will be affected on it. Acosta may already regret signing his factory contract if KTM fall backwards due to their problems.

While KTM have vowed to keep racing in 2026 and beyond, there is doubts about their future in the premier class. MotoGP do not have an ‘obvious replacement’ for KTM if they withdraw from the sport.

Amid the situation, Michelle Pirro wants to tempt Acosta to Ducati if he leaves KTM. Several teams around the paddock will be eyeing the Spaniard’s signature, with Pit Beirer saying Acosta’s success is ‘dangerous’ as it attracted interest from KTM’s rivals.