Why Pedro Acosta will ‘never’ join Ducati in their current form despite Valentino Rossi interest

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Pedro Acosta is under contract with KTM until the end of 2026, and his manager is playing down talk of an exit. And yet, he sits at the centre of the MotoGP rider market.

It’s unlikely that any of KTM’s rivals will make firm plans for 2027 and beyond until Acosta has made up his mind on his future. He’s regarded as one of the biggest talents in the sport’s recent history.

Acosta crashed more than any other rider as a rookie but his formidable speed generated bigger headlines. He scored his maiden pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix and also picked up five podiums.

A frustrating start to the 2025 season – Acosta has only collected 13 points across the first two rounds – hasn’t dulled the hype. In fact, KTM’s underwhelming performances may have increased optimism levels among the 20-year-old’s suitors.

Pedro Acosta won’t join Ducati while Marc Marquez is still there

In a column for Speedweek, journalist Manuel Pecino explored Acosta’s future. He believes Honda is his likeliest destination.

Ducati are the dominant force in the premier class right now, having won five constructors’ championships in a row. It’s almost certain to be six after they raced out to an early 48-point lead.

But Pecino said Acosta won’t accept a satellite ride with the Bologna outfit. Jorge Martin won the world championship in Pramac colours, and Marc Marquez spent a year at Gresini before graduating to the factory squad.

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

Acosta believes that Martin’s triumph was a ‘coincidence’ and that he’ll need to ride for a flagship team to take the title. Even if he was offered the chance to replace Francesco Bagnaia as Marquez’s teammate, he’d ‘never’ take it.

He knows that the six-time MotoGP champion ‘already reigns supreme’ and seemingly doubts that he could topple him on equal machinery. Instead, he may look to become the next Spanish rider to achieve glory on a Honda motorcycle.

Why Valentino Rossi doesn’t see Pedro Acosta as the next Marc Marquez

As it stands, Acosta’s manager says he hasn’t held talks with KTM’s rivals. He’s called for calm despite the Austrian manufacturer’s apparent regression.

But while he may not be in negotiations himself, his client has already held informal talks. Valentino Rossi spoke to Acosta about riding for VR46 over the winter.

According to one recent report, Rossi sees Acosta as the ‘anti-Marc Marquez’. That’s a firm departure from the narrative that he’s the second coming of the Ant of Cervera.

But if Pecino is correct, Acosta will ultimately rebuff Rossi. The opportunity to lead Honda back to the top is a tempting one, even if it could require a leap of faith ahead of the 2027 regulation changes.