Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is looking for a way out of KTM in one of many moves that could happen in the MotoGP rider market in 2025.
The 21-year-old is not happy with the progress the manufacturer has made this season. The financial crisis at KTM over the winter did not help matters, as the RC16 has proven to be an uncompetitive and difficult bike to handle for its riders.
Acosta remains their top performer as he sits eighth in the standings. He matched his best result of the season with fourth at Assen, but his dissatisfaction with KTM is clear to see.
Acosta is despondent about KTM in media debriefs, having constantly criticised the team publicly throughout 2025. The bike is not giving him the tools to battle for podiums as it did in 2024, with Acosta and Brad Binder demanding action from KTM at the factory.
His frustrations have prompted speculation that he could seek an early exit from the manufacturer. While Acosta ‘will not dare’ speak of a future away from KTM in public, it is clear that he is pushing for movement in the MotoGP rider market behind the scenes.
Pedro Acosta may be receiving guidance from Valentino Rossi as he searches for a ‘loophole’ to join Ducati
KTM ‘restricted’ Acosta’s contract, which runs until 2026, from having an exit clause. The manufacturer was desperate to tie the talented Spaniard down to a new deal.
But his manager Albert Valera has hinted he could ‘appeal’ to KTM to get him out of his contract by 2025. Valera is also the manager of Jorge Martin, and he is trying to facilitate an exit for the defending MotoGP champion from Aprilia.
Acosta can be bought out of his contract for £4.5m, with the likes of Honda and VR46 being interested in the Spaniard. While the former will have the financial muscle to get a deal done, the Spaniard prefers a move to Ducati.
VR46 were ‘in the lead’ to sign Acosta, with Valentino Rossi being a keen admirer of the KTM rider. In a report from GPOne, the Spaniard is ‘looking for a loophole’ in his contract to make the switch to Ducati.
The report claims that he could be ‘under the auspices’ of Rossi and VR46. The seven-time MotoGP champion may be offering help behind the scenes to make a deal happen for 2026.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
What Fabio Di Giannantonio has said about Pedro Acosta joining VR46
Rossi’s team do have a seat available for 2026. Franco Morbidelli is out of contract this season, with Fabio Di Giannantonio riding the factory GP25 alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
Given his relationship with Rossi, Morbidelli has been described as ‘the Lance Stroll’ of MotoGP, with many seeing it as unlikely that he loses his seat. But recently, Morbidelli has been linked with Ducati in WSBK, which would open the door for Acosta.
Rossi says VR46 will ‘wait’ to sign Acosta from KTM. It hints that they could hold off making a deal until 2027 when his contract expires.
Di Giannantonio says Acosta’s links to VR46 are ‘not nice’, as he does not like talking about other teams and their situations. The Italian does not care about what is happening with the KTM rider right now, but he could soon be facing him on the other side of the garage.
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