Pit Beirer says tough Aki Ajo shouldn’t give Pedro Acosta one thing at KTM

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Pedro Acosta is looking to build upon an incredible rookie season in MotoGP last year. The Spaniard has moved to the factory KTM team from Tech3.

The 20-year-old scored more podiums than any other non-Ducati rider in 2024 with five. Finishing sixth in the standings with 215 points, Acosta grabbed the Rookie of the Year award.

Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal says Acosta was an ‘alien’ in MotoGP last season. He finished just two points behind factory KTM rider Brad Binder – who was in his fifth season in the premier class.

Acosta’s performances helped KTM finish above Aprilia in the constructors’ standings, despite not winning a race in 2024. Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was the only non-Ducati rider to take victory.

KTM have promoted Acosta to the factory team alongside Binder for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Pit Beirer says Acosta’s success was ‘dangerous’ as it attracted interest from rival teams, prompting the Austrian manufacturer to quickly snap up his signature.

But heading into 2025, KTM’s season is in jeopardy amid their desperate financial crisis. Reporting debts of around £2bn, there are concerns the situation will affect them on track.

KTM team manager Aki Ajo will not give Pedro Acosta ‘too much freedom’

But motorsports director Beirer remains optimistic about the team’s season and future. KTM insiders are ‘convinced’ their 2025 season will be unaffected by their crisis off the track.

After the departure of Francesco Guidotti, Aki Ajo has stepped up as KTM team manager. The Finn has been associated with the Austrian manufacturer since 2012 through his own racing team, Ajo Motorsport in Moto2 and Moto3.

Having previously worked with KTM’s 2025 riders in the junior divisions and won championships with them, Ajo is the perfect fit. Speaking with GPOne, Beirer says Acosta will not be afforded ‘too much freedom’ at KTM under Ajo’s guidance.

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

“I am 100 percent convinced that Aki will have a positive influence on Pedro,” said Beirer. “Aki is a prime example of how to lead rider without giving them too much freedom and simply seeing what results come out of it.

“He has the ideal mix of toughness and father figure. Aki not only became world champion with Pedro, but also with Brad Binder in Moto3 in 2016.

“So the riders and team managers don’t have to get to know each other, and everyone around them knows each other too. We are convinced that Aki will do an excellent job as factory team manager.”

Pedro Acosta gives worrying verdict on KTM after pre-season testing

While KTM say their season will not affected by their financial problems, the manufacturer has endured a disappointing pre-season.

Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini struggled with outright speed while teammate Vinales suffered a ‘problem’ with braking on the RC16. The factory riders also faced issues of their own.

Acosta and Binder suffered a ‘horrific’ rear tyre issue in Buriram with it being ‘absolutely chewed’ when they returned to the pits.

The tyre was so badly worn that Acosta’s bike could be a ‘rider safety issue’ heading into the Thailand Grand Prix. Acosta was at a loss to explain KTM’s struggles in Buriram, which is incredibly worrying heading into the first race.