Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta has really impressed Brad Binder with one ability that the Spaniard has shown since joining the South African in the KTM team for the 2025 MotoGP season.
KTM overhauled their rider fold this year, with Binder the only one whom the Austrian outfit did not move around from last year. KTM promoted Acosta from Tech3 to replace Jack Miller in their factory squad, along with signing Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini to join Tech3.
Binder has led the KTM project since he made his premier class debut with them in the 2020 MotoGP season. Yet Acosta has dethroned the 30-year-old this season, with the 21-year-old so far scoring 215 points to Binder’s 118 after the first 18 rounds of this year’s scheduled 22.
Acosta also ranks fifth in the riders’ standings ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, whereas Binder is only 11th. Tech3 duo Bastianini and Vinales are also 14th and 16th in the standings with 89 and 72 points during their first year aboard the KTM RC16.
Brad Binder praises Pedro Acosta’s ability to perform ‘no matter the situation’
KTM have also seen Acosta claim three Grand Prix podium finishes, while Binder secured P4 in the Indonesian GP last time out for his best result to date this year. Acosta took second at Mandalika with a robust defensive ride, having nursed his tyres while under lots of pressure.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Binder has now praised how Acosta is able to perform at a really high level regardless of the circumstances. The two-time career MotoGP Grand Prix winner also believes his teammate’s ability to perform in any situation on the same bike has shown him where he must improve.
Acosta told the official MotoGP website: “Pedro is a really cool guy and he’s a great rider, of course, so it works really well, I think. I think he’s bringing a really new [and] fresh approach.
“I’ve been in MotoGP since 2020 now, so it’s been a few seasons. And he’s got a really good ability to go out and, no matter what the situation is, really perform. So, that’s something I need to work towards, for sure.”
Brad Binder must improve his performances to earn a new contract with KTM
Binder will know he must improve his results, especially when compared to Acosta’s, for the South African to earn a new contract with KTM beyond the 2026 MotoGP season. He is due to be a free agent at the end of next year, when a lot of MotoGP riders’ contracts will expire.
READ MORE: 2025 MotoGP riders’ contract details, including Brad Binder’s KTM wage
It has already been said that Binder was very close to losing his KTM ride for 2026, with the Austrian brand considering demoting him to Tech3 and promoting Vinales next year. But he will remain with the factory KTM team after Vinales’ shoulder injury derailed his campaign.
Vinales immediately adapted to his RC16 after joining Tech3 from the factory Aprilia team in the 2025 MotoGP season with a two-year works KTM contract. Only a tyre pressure penalty denied Vinales P2 in the Qatar GP in round four, and he scored P4 at Jerez and P5 at Assen.
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