Exasperated Pedro Acosta may already have signed ‘pre-agreement’ to leave KTM for MotoGP rivals

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Pedro Acosta scored five podiums during his rookie MotoGP season, but hasn’t come close to a sixth at the start of 2025. The Spanish sensation seems to be running out of patience.

Acosta has hauled the RC16 into some eye-catching grid spots – seventh in Thailand, fifth in Argentina and fourth at the Americas Grand Prix. But while he can compete with the Ducatis in qualifying, he’s invariably falling back over a longer distance

Indeed, Acosta has lost at least three positions in the last three races he’s finished. He’s also crashed twice this season, dropping to the back of the field in Thailand and retiring in Austin on Sunday.

Acosta had more crashes than any other rider in 2024, so some would paint it as a recurring weakness. But his fans would counter that he has to override the bike to try and avoid sinking down the order.

The 20-year-old established himself as a generational talent last year, but he doesn’t necessarily have the motorcyle to build on that. Inevitably, KTM’s rivals have sensed an opportunity to capitalise.

VR46 have the champagne on ice as they chase Pedro Acosta deal

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Acosta ‘can no longer’ stand the situation at KTM. There was a sense of relief around the Austrian team as they made it to the season opener in the midst of a financial crisis, but that won’t sate the competitive appetites of their riders.

The Shark is ‘less and less convinced’ that Pit Beirer’s team can live up to their promises, though he has set his home race later this month as a deadline of sorts. If he doesn’t see a meaningful improvement at Jerez, he may give up on KTM completely.

The beneficiaries could be VR46, because ‘there are those’ who claim he’s already signed a ‘pre-agreement with the Ducati satellite squad. Given that there’s no performance-related exit clause in his KTM deal, they may have to wait until its expiry at the end of 2026.

Still, VR46 ‘have the bottle ready to be uncorked’. It had been reported elsewhere that Acosta wouldn’t ride a Ducati until Marc Marquez leaves, which would make an improving Honda his likeliest destination.

Pedro Acosta’s surprise reaction to latest KTM crash

Rossi sees Acosta as the ‘anti-Marc Marquez’ and believes that, long term, he can overhaul the Ant of Cervera. By contrast, if he joins Honda, he will no doubt be proclaimed as his compatriot’s symbolic successor.

In footage shared by DAZN, Acosta told Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti to talk to his manager, generating further speculation. Like Honda, Yamaha appear to have corrected their trajectory this season.

If they receive an indication that he’s available, then every manufacturer may make an effort to fit an Acosta in. Aprilia could even dream up a Spanish superteam after signing Jorge Martin, though he already has a strong teammate in Marco Bezzecchi.

There may be some concerns, however, over the rider’s attitude. One journalist felt that Acosta didn’t ‘care’ about his latest crash, with apathy taking over after he realised he couldn’t fight for wins and podiums.