Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is looking to build upon his incredible rookie season last year in 2025. The Spaniard will race with the factory KTM team.
The 20-year-old established himself as MotoGP’s hottest prospect in 2024. After winning the Moto2 title the year prior, Acosta took to the premier class as if he were a seasoned rider.
Racing with satellite KTM team Tech3, the Spaniard grabbed five podiums and finished sixth in the standings behind factory rider and 2025 teammate Brad Binder. Acosta’s performances helped KTM beat Aprilia to second in the constructors’ championship.
Herve Poncharal says Acosta was an ‘alien’ at Tech3 in 2024 as he moves to the factory team this year alongside Binder. The 20-year-old will be gunning for his maiden win in MotoGP, but that could be hard to come by.
KTM’s financial crisis has plagued the team in the off-season, reporting debts of around £2.5bn. Over 2,000 employees have lost their jobs as the company have ‘slimmed’ down the business as part of their restructuring plans.
The Austrian manufacturer are hoping their situation does not affect the motorsport division on track. But Acosta’s facial expression after testing in Malaysia suggests it could be.
Pedro Acosta says he is ‘quite happy’ with KTM’s performance in Malaysia but his face says otherwise
The deadline for KTM’s restructuring plan to be approved is February 25. Sporting director Pit Beirer is confident the plan will be approved and that it will come with a ‘major racing component.
KTM have repeatedly reiterated their commitment to motorsport despite their financial woes. The fact they have been testing in Malaysia proves that as they prepare for 2025.
It was not smooth sailing at Sepang for KTM. Acosta crashed on day one along with many other riders such as Jorge Martin who suffered a violent highside and was ruled out of the last two days through injury.
READ MORE: KTM bosses ‘instructed’ Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta not to do one thing at 2025 MotoGP launch
At the end of day three, Acosta was sixth fastest, six tenths down on Alex Marquez. The Spaniard was the highest-placed KTM rider in the session, with teammate Binder half a second behind in 11th.
Acosta said after the test that he was ‘quite happy’ with how the RC16 felt. But according to journalist Neil Morrison, his face told a different story.
Morrison posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Pedro Acosta saying “I’m quite happy with our performance.” But his expression says otherwise”.
How Tech3 riders could receive upgrades before Pedro Acosta in 2025
The Spaniard will not be too impressed if he thinks differently about the RC16 after KTM reassured Acosta during his visit to the factory in Austria.
But that does not guarantee KTM will be competitive. Francesco Guidotti says performance is not the priority in 2025, but rather to keep the company afloat.
KTM found a tenth and a half during the Sepang test. However, Yamaha improved by eight tenths – giving Acosta more competition at the front of the field.
The Spaniard will also face problems internally with Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales joining Tech3. KTM have signed their riders on factory deals as they aim to move the satellite team closer to the main operation.
As a result, KTM will hand out new parts to the best-performing riders in 2025. Acosta will have to be on his game with what he has to stay ahead of his experienced teammates.
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