KTM may have held ‘internal conversation’ about Pedro Acosta demand as 2025 MotoGP podium drought continues

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Pedro Acosta has been KTM’s top rider in the 2025 MotoGP season, but it has been a campaign of frustrations for the Spaniard.

The RC16 does not have the competitive edge to challenge the Ducatis at the front in 2025. Acosta grabbed five podiums for Tech3 in his rookie season last year, but has struggled to match that feat this year with the factory KTM team.

Halfway through the season, the 21-year-old has yet to score a podium in any race. No KTM rider has finished in the top three thus far in 2025; Maverick Vinales finished second at the Qatar GP, but was dropped down to P14 for a post-race infringement.

Acosta has come close to a podium in recent races, having finished fourth at Le Mans, Aragon and Assen. He was on course for a strong result at Sachsenring last weekend, but Acosta crashed out on lap four while running in fifth.

The Spaniard is riding the bike to the limit, but the RC16 does not have the performance to score a podium. Frustrations have been growing for Acosta throughout the season, and it seems KTM may now have intervened.

KTM may have held ‘internal conversation’ with Pedro Acosta about his ‘grumpy’ media debriefs

Acosta has been demanding action from the KTM factory, constantly calling for updates to come to the bike so he can fight at the front.

Acosta has been heavily critical of KTM during media debriefs, often looking despondent amid his current situation. But at the German GP, he looked to have a different attitude, which journalist Neil Morrison suspects is down to an ‘internal conversation’ with KTM.

Speaking via the Paddock Pass Podcast, Morrison says the team may have spoken to Acosta and his management about his demands, stating that they told him to ‘make the best’ of the bike that he has, regardless of how ‘grumpy’ he is.

“He’s not showing up with a face like a slapped behind, as one of our Patrons commented on a couple of rounds ago,” he said.

“I think we mentioned this after the Assen race, but it seems as though there’s been an internal conversation between Pedro and his bosses and his management as well, I’m sure.

“It’s probably been told to him: ‘Hey, you best make the best out of this situation because, no matter how grumpy you look, it’s not going to change the bike you’re on until the end of the year.”

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

Pedro Acosta is not backing down on his demands to KTM for upgrades

While conversations may have been had behind the scenes, it has not stopped the rider from getting his feelings across about new upgrades.

Acosta wants to see updates from KTM before the Misano test in September, insisting that they must come to the bike. The 21-year-old is coming closer to a podium finish, and he will not want to wait any longer to see improvements.

They will be under pressure to deliver what the Spaniard wants and keep him happy. Acosta is being linked with VR46, with rumours suggesting that he and his manager Albert Valera are looking to find a way out of his contract, which runs until 2026.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta is not happy with Acosta and his desire to leave KTM early. While he may have no way of escaping his contract before 2026, Valentino Rossi has told Acosta that VR46 could ‘wait’ to sign him, hinting at a possible move in 2027.