Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta enjoyed a mega rookie season in MotoGP last year. The Spaniard showcased why he is one of the sport’s top talents.
Having had an impressive career in the junior categories, not many would have expected the impact Acosta would make on the premier class in 2024.
Riding with satellite KTM team Tech3, the 20-year-old finished an incredible sixth in the championship. Acosta was just two points behind factory rider and future teammate Brad Binder.
The Spaniard grabbed five podiums last year but was not quite able to stand on the top step. Herve Poncharal labelled Acosta an ‘alien’ after he stunned the grid with Tech3.
Moving into the factory KTM team for 2025, Acosta would have learned a lot from his rookie season – and he will hope to bring one thing into this season that he ‘forgot’ about last year.
Pedro Acosta admits he ‘forgot’ how to ‘keep calm’ in rookie MotoGP season
The Spaniard could have achieved a lot more in 2024 if it was not for several accidents – although that may be expected from a rookie.
Acosta had four retirements across the season, with a crash during the Sprint in Australia ruling him out of the main race. Speaking with AMCN, the KTM rider admitted he ‘forgot’ how to ‘keep calm’ in 2024.
“In MotoGP you need more brain, that’s clear,” he said. “But it’s not about brain, it’s not about talent, it’s not about b—-, it’s a combination of many things.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Asked which of those is the most important, he replied: “Keep calm. But this isn’t something I learned last season, I learned it from a young age but forgot along the way.
“I’ve been talking a lot with Aki [Ajo] and this is exactly what I was missing sometimes last season – keep calm. Keep calm, man! I mean, racing is simple if we keep it simple.
“Maybe there’ll arrive one moment when it will get so difficult for my mind, but now I take it easy: having fun, riding and enjoying riding. We need to keep it calm.”
KTM boss Pit Beirer compares Pedro Acosta to Michael Schumacher
Unfortunately for Acosta, his crash-proneness has persisted in 2025. The Spaniard fell off his RC16 at turn one during the Thailand Grand Prix, leaving him limping home in P19.
KTM had been suffering a ‘horrific’ rear tyre issue during testing at the Buriram circuit with the Michelin rubber being eviscerated in the hot conditions. Acosta almost had a ‘rider safety issue’ with his bike due to the problem.
It was a disappointing weekend overall for KTM – but the team did see some encouraging signs. Acosta’s crew say he had top-five pace when he got back on his RC16, highlighting the talent he has in the premier class.
Pit Beirer compared Acosta’s work ethic to Michael Schumacher as the Spaniard is looking to go a ‘step further’ and find any advantage he can.
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