Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta had an incredible rookie season in MotoGP last year with KTM satellite team Tech3. But there is concern he will not reach the same heights in 2025.
The Spaniard has moved to the factory KTM team alongside Brad Binder this year. The Austrian manufacturer had to move fast to secure Acosta’s future after finishing sixth in the standings with five podiums in 2024.
Acosta’s success was ‘dangerous’ for KTM as he attracted interest from rival teams. They will certainly still be keeping tabs on his situation amid the manufacturer’s financial problems.
KTM have the go-ahead to race in Thailand without issue after their restructuring plan received approval. But the competitiveness of their MotoGP teams has been brought into question because of the situation.
Acosta has sought to find answers by visiting the KTM factory in Austria during the off-season. While the company have reassured their riders of their commitment to racing, whether they can fight at the front is unknown.
Keith Huewen ‘pretty confident’ Pedro Acosta will have a ‘get out’ clause in his KTM contract
Acosta has a two-year factory deal with KTM but after pre-season testing, it has left more questions as to whether the 20-year-old can be a force at the front of the field.
Acosta is ‘really angry’ at KTM amid the financial crisis, which could prompt him to look elsewhere if his RC16 does not have performance.
Speaking on the OMG! MotoGP YouTube channel, commentator Keith Huewen is ‘pretty confident’ Acosta will have a ‘get out’ clause in his contract.
“I’d like to be a fly on the wall regarding his management because his management have hopefully got that contract absolutely nailed when it comes to, where he moves to, how he moves, how he can move.
“KTM have obviously nailed him down for a multi-year contract I’ve got on my list here, so they’ve obviously got him for two years plus an option [of a further year].
“There will be a get-out clause somewhere, I’m pretty confident of that. It’s a two-way streak with a contract. If KTM are not performing because they’ve got no money, I’m fairly sure that Acosta will have some kind of clause in there that gets him out of there.
“But where else is he going to go? Again, he’s got to perform this year or he ain’t got anywhere to go.”
Pedro Acosta may miss out on a ‘full-spec’ bike in 2026
Pit Beirer is convinced KTM can give Acosta a winning bike – but also admitted that the team will not keep him after two years if they cannot.
Acosta was consistently the fastest KTM rider in pre-season, highlighting how talented the Spaniard is. He is MotoGP’s rising star, and it will be devastating for the Austrian outfit to lose him.
Unfortunately, the future looks bleak for the 20-year-old at KTM. Acosta may miss out on a ‘full-spec’ bike come 2026 as a result of the financial woes.
Acosta tried to hide his disappointment with the 2025 bike after encountering issues during testing. With problems coming up now and certainly in the future, his days at KTM could be numbered.
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