Carlo Pernat tells KTM to ‘be careful’ with Pedro Acosta amid ‘rumours’ about their star rider

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MotoGP rider manager Carlo Pernat has warned KTM to ‘be careful’ with Pedro Acosta amid some of the rumours regarding the future of the Spaniard.

Acosta has produced another superb season during his sophomore MotoGP campaign and currently sits fifth in the riders’ standings despite riding atop sub-optimal KTM machinery.

The Murcian rider has been the front-running rider at the Austrian constructor for the majority of the season, with factory teammate Brad Binder occupying the 12th spot in the standings with nearly half of the points that Acosta has accrued.

Due to the impressive performances that the 21-year-old has continued to display in 2025, he has attracted the attention of other teams that may be able to give the rider a more competitive package than the one KTM currently has to offer.

READ MORE: Jorge Lorenzo snubs Francesco Bagnaia for the rider most likely to fight Marc Marquez for a title

Carlo Pernat tells KTM to ‘be careful’ about letting Pedro Acosta slip away from them

Acosta secured his third Grand Prix podium of the current term at the most recent round of racing in Indonesia, finishing second behind his fellow Murcian and childhood acquaintance, Fermin Aldeguer.

Aldeguer currently rides atop a world-beating Ducati bike as part of satellite team Gresini Racing, a position that has been tempting Acosta in the form of VR46.

Acosta was seen as a top target for Valentino Rossi, who ended up turning down the offer of a second factory bike at his team for the upcoming season after failing to secure the Spaniard’s signature.

In a Grand Prix of Indonesia round-up video for GPOne, Pernat highlighted the importance of Acosta at KTM and warned them that they must be on guard for any future advances.

“Calling that KTM from the Grand Prix strange is an understatement,” the Italian started. “A podium and a fourth place, unbelievable.

“After practice sessions where, frankly, apart from Pedro Acosta, who is their flag bearer, none of the others managed to perform.

“Maybe KTM is lacking a method. Be careful not to let Pedro Acosta slip away because there are a lot of rumours going around.”

Acosta’s name has also been linked with a factory Ducati seat in 2027. Both of the current riders for the Borgo Panigale-based outfit will see their deals expire at the end of next season, opening the door to some changes for the following year.

READ MORE: Pol Espargaro ‘convinced’ that ‘wild’ MotoGP rider could fight Marc Marquez every weekend on a Ducati

Carlo Pernat thinks Pedro Acosta can make a challenge for third place in the MotoGP standings

With 215 points to his name after the second-place finish in Mandalika, Acosta is now 59 points short of matching Francesco Bagnaia’s tally of 274, which sees him sit third in the riders’ standings.

Despite there being just four rounds of the season left, Pernat is confident that Acosta can join the fight between Bagnaia and his compatriot, Marco Bezzecchi, for the bronze medal.

Speaking about the narratives in the final few rounds, Pernat declared, “They’ll be fighting for second and third place, but in my opinion, Alex Marquez already has second place in his grasp.

“There’s a real battle for third from Bagnaia to Bezzecchi to Acosta. I think that’s where the fight will be. And let’s add Morbidelli into the mix as well. We’re settling for less since the championship ended in record time thanks to Ducati and Marc Marquez.”

Acosta will need to put on his finest performances, as well as a bit of luck, to leapfrog his two rivals in the next four rounds to claim the third-place spot in the standings.