Marco Bezzecchi
While the 2025 MotoGP season is only a week away, teams and manufacturers will also be thinking about next year’s campaign.
The 2026 season marks the final year of the current regulations before a major change takes effect in 2027. It also marks the end of the current contract cycle and engine freeze.
This is the reason why Ducati’s decision with their 2025 engine is so critical. The Bologna-based manufacturer have opted to scrap their 2025 spec and run with the 2024 engine in their three factory GP25s – or ‘GP24.9’ as Francesco Bagnaia puts it.
As a result, they must now use the 2024 engine for the next two years. Ducati had a ‘luxury’ over KTM and Aprilia as they had two engines to choose from.
Ducati’s rivals are at a disadvantage with the engine freeze given their dominance. The manufacturer won 19 out of 20 races in 2024, 16 of which were with the 2024 engine.
Heading into 2026, KTM in particular are in serious uncertainty with their financial crisis. It could lead to devastating consequences for their star rider.
Pedro Acosta risks losing out on ‘full-spec’ bike for the 2026 season
Pedro Acosta is MotoGP’s rising star after finishing sixth in the standings in his rookie season. After grabbing five podiums with Tech3, the Spaniard has been promoted to the factory KTM team alongside Brad Binder.
The ‘special’ rider – as Nicholas Goyon put it to Crash.net after his podium in Indonesia – is looking to challenge further up the field in 2025. He has been likened to the next Marc Marquez, but Acosta hates these comparisons.
In a report by The Race, unlike Marquez’s time at Honda, Acosta ‘cannot be confident’ about the future with KTM. The Austrian manufacturer’s financial problems have put their MotoGP project at risk.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
The deadline for the company’s restructuring plan to be approved by creditors is February 25. KTM are facing complications with Whitebox’s proposed takeover – the hedge fund are offering creditors 45% of what they are owed (KTM are offering 30%) and will gain control if their plan is approved.
While KTM have stressed they are committed to racing, their future is up in the air. As a result, Acosta ‘cannot have that confidence’ that Marquez had at Honda – who could deliver him title-winning bikes year after year.
With the vote on KTM’s restructuring plan coming up, there is the risk Acosta may not have a ‘full-spec, full-factory KTM bike’ in 2026. He could face ‘much less’ with the new rules in 2027.
The ‘only thing’ Pedro Acosta needs to challenge Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez
Acosta’s prospects beyond 2025 look bleak with KTM. But the Spaniard is optimistic about this season as he heads into his sophomore year in the premier class.
The 20-year-old was consistently the fastest KTM during pre-season testing in Sepang and Buriram. Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal labelled Acosta ‘exemplary’ as he set the benchmark for his teammate Binder.
KTM may be slower than the factory Ducati at this stage, but the Spaniard has aspirations to take the fight to the Bologna-based manufacturer. Pol Espargaro says Acosta needs ‘patience’ if he wants to challenge Bagnaia and Marquez.
Acosta wants to have ‘as little contact’ with Jorge Martin as possible in 2025. The pair’s relationship changed when their paths crossed in MotoGP last year.
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