Tech3 boss shares ‘alien’ verdict on Pedro Acosta after KTM MotoGP move

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Pedro Acosta has received a big promotion ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season as he steps up to race for KTM’s factory team at the age of 19 years old.

The young Spaniard featured on the podium more than any non-Ducati rider during his rookie season, as he put the grid on high alert regarding his talents.

It left KTM with little choice but to promote him to avoid the risk of losing him to one of their rivals with a better offer.

Jack Miller thinks KTM would be upset if they lost Acosta, and at such a young age he’s right. They want to get the opportunity to see how he can develop.

Despite financial turmoil over the winter, Acosta is someone who brings promise to the organisation ahead of the 2025 season, which starts in Thailand at the end of February.

First, they must conduct pre-season testing at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit. It couldn’t offer much more of a challenge to get riders back in the groove with a hot and humid climate challenging their fitness.

Herve Poncharal says Pedro Acosta was an ‘alien’ for KTM Tech3

The Sepang test provides Brad Binder with an opportunity to learn from Acosta, who is aware of the talent that the 20-year-old possesses.

He finished sixth in the championship last year on a satellite bike which few would have predicted before the start of the campaign.

Acosta says he hates being called the new Marc Marquez and wants to be recognised as himself rather than any legend of the sport.

READ MORE: Pit Beirer reveals how Pedro Acosta tempted Maverick Vinales to join KTM MotoGP team

This season he will get to compete with Marquez for race victories and maybe even the championship if things go his way.

Speaking to GPOne, his ex-Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal spoke highly about his efforts with the team in 2024.

“In 2024 we had an alien with us, Pedro Acosta, who showed extraordinary performances and exceeded all our expectations.”

Why KTM and Pedro Acosta face an uncertain MotoGP future

KTM’s participation in MotoGP is not guaranteed beyond the end of the 2026 season, just before the start of the new bike regulations.

MotoGP now faces an obvious problem if KTM leaves in 2026, with no clear manufacturer replacement for them lined up.

The Austrian outfit have made their intentions to compete this season very clear, but they must wait for the outcome of a meeting with creditors on the eve of the new season.

READ MORE: How much Red Bull would have to pay for KTM in ‘dream scenario’ for MotoGP team

Their restructuring plan will be assessed and details of how their operation may look will come out as they look to cut costs and save the company.

Motorsport naturally requires heavy investment and is part of the reason why the long-term future of the team cannot be guaranteed without further support.

As many as 23 investors have shown interest in financing the companies’ plans but it wouldn’t be enough to wipe their £1.6 billion (€2 billion) in debts.

With Acosta’s contract set to end in 2026, it poses the question as to where his future lies, and whether it’s with his new team.