Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta has quietly been one of the most consistent MotoGP riders across the second half of the season.
In fact, the Spaniard now has a slender chance of pinching a top-three spot in the MotoGP standings, if two of his rivals have poor ends to the campaign. KTM are now capable of competing for podiums every weekend, and it has helped to give their rider more confidence.
Acosta has managed a top-two finish in three of his last seven races, but is still awaiting an elusive first victory. He hasn’t really had any standout opportunities or any chance that has slipped out of his hands. He has done what is required to maximise what he has beneath him.
Acosta asked KTM to remove the controls from his bike before Sunday’s race at the Malaysian Grand Prix. He felt more in command of his bike with less to worry about. Sometimes, Acosta feels like he is fighting for nothing, but the more second places he keeps racking up, the more hope he must have.
READ MORE: Pedro Acosta told ‘incredible’ move to Ducati is unlikely as he considers KTM future
Pedro Acosta thinks KTM can ‘fight’ for a MotoGP title in 2027 after recent progress
Although his rival eventually retired with a late puncture, Acosta wasn’t expected to pull away from Francesco Bagnaia in Sepang. He had a softer, more aggressive tyre strategy, which paid off before the Ducati was forced out of the race.
Normally, the 21-year-old struggles towards the end of races, as he burns up his rubber and leaves himself with an uphill battle to climb. There are signs that his bike is improving in that aspect, and according to The Race’s Simon Patterson, it’s giving him hope for 2027.
“It’s a good day, and it’s a day that KTM needed Pedro Acosta to have,” he said. “It was another little reassuring pat on the back that this thing is actually getting better, and it’s not all doom and gloom.
“Just to pass it very quickly, we did a one-on-one interview on Thursday, him and I. And he told me this year was a slap in the face for him. But it was a slap in the face that he needed because it had helped mature him.
“He felt now that they had a bike that can semi-consistently win races next year, and then hopefully fight for a title in 2027, so he’s kind of back on the KTM bandwagon and results like this help.”
READ MORE: Pedro Acosta’s stance on signing a new contract after KTM refused his seven-figure buy-out offer
What KTM must do to secure Pedro Acosta’s services for the future
Although he’s currently under contract for 2026 as well, that time will soon pass, and KTM will need to figure out who their superstar is going to be in the future.
Ducati are looking at Acosta, and could probably make quite an attractive offer for him to replace Francesco Bagnaia if they wanted to.
It means that KTM must give Acosta the bike he wants to ensure that they can satisfy and fulfil his needs, without him feeling the need to abandon the team that gave him his first chance in the premier class.
Acosta knows what KTM is missing, and now is their chance to listen to him and take his feedback on board. They can and will have the chance to win, but to what extent is unknown.
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