Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is being heavily linked with VR46 as he looks for a way out of KTM before his contract expires in 2026.
The Spaniard would favour a move to Ducati amid previous interest from Honda. Acosta is frustrated at KTM over the RC16’s difficult nature and the uncertainty surrounding their financial crisis over the winter.
Despite his anger, the 21-year-old has no way of getting out of his contract before it runs out. KTM ‘restricted’ Acosta’s deal from having an exit clause, not wanting a repeat of their feud with Jorge Martin when he broke his contract in 2020.
Maverick Vinales has urged Acosta to stay at KTM, warning him that he would need factory support from Ducati to compete. The fellow Spaniard views Martin’s win with Pramac in 2024 as a one-off, with Marc Marquez currently dominating MotoGP in 2025.
VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio has the third factory-spec bike at Ducati next to Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. Acosta is being linked with Valentino Rossi’s team, as he hopes to find some way out of KTM.
Pablo Nieto says VR46 are ‘always open to everything’ amid Pedro Acosta links
The 21-year-old’s manager Albert Valera hinted that he could ‘appeal’ to KTM to get his rider away from the team in 2026. Acosta is the manufacturer’s top rider, sitting eighth in the standings with 99 points ahead of the German Grand Prix.
Reports have recently suggested that Acosta is searching for a ‘loophole’ in his KTM contract, possibly with the guidance of Rossi and VR46. The seven-time MotoGP champion is a keen admirer of the Spaniard.
Speaking via DAZN at Sachsenring, team manager Pablo Nieto did not rule out Acosta joining VR46. He says the team are ‘always open to everything’, stating that the KTM rider has an ‘incredible future’ ahead of him.
“Fabio Di Giannantonio has a direct contract with Ducati, but also with us; he has a contract for next year as well,” said Nieto, discussing the MotoGP rider market.
“We are happy with him and with the work we are doing. It’s true that people always want more, but at the end of the day we are in the market season, quote unquote, and it’s always that game up and down that gives a little bit of excitement.
“Pedro is a rider who I think, if you go round the pitlane, everybody likes him. He is a rider who has an incredible future in MotoGP. We are always open to everything, it’s true that we have a contract with both riders, but you never know.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
What do the VR46 riders think about signing Pedro Acosta?
Di Giannantonio has a two-year deal with VR46, while teammate Franco Morbidelli is out of contract at the end of 2025. If Acosta can find his way out of KTM, in theory, there is a seat available for him in Rossi’s squad.
But there has been some drama between the Spaniard and his potential future teammate in recent weeks. Di Giannantonio accused Acosta of being disrespectful to KTM, stating that it is ‘not nice’ to talk about other teams.
The 21-year-old sparked further rumours as he posed in front of VR46’s main sponsor in the media pen. Acosta claimed his stunt was a ‘joke’, telling Diggia to lighten up after his fiery response.
Despite the prospect of him being replaced, Morbidelli sees the positive side of Acosta being linked to VR46. The Italian says it is good for the team as it shows they are being sought after by one of MotoGP’s most talented youngsters.
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