Pedro Acosta reacts to beating Brad Binder in every single MotoGP qualifying session so far in 2025

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Pedro Acosta is defending a perfect record against KTM teammate Brad Binder at this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix. Acosta has been the quicker factory rider in every qualifying session so far this year.

Acosta is the only rider on the grid to have delivered a 20-0 scoreline. Johann Zarco has also beaten LCR teammate Somkiat Chantra in every single-lap match-up, but Chantra hasn’t been absent five times.

Much like Fabio Quartararo at Yamaha, Acosta has operated on a different level to the other riders in the KTM stable. With 260 points, he still has a chance of finishing third in the standings (he’s currently fifth, 31 behind Marco Bezzecchi).

Binder is the next-best KTM rider in 13th, though Maverick Vinales has missed a significant chunk of the season. Combined, Binder, Vinales and Bastianini have contributed 311 points – barely 50 more than Acosta on his own.

Pedro Acosta says qualifying isn’t his ‘greatest strength’ despite thrashing Brad Binder

During his media sessions at Portimao, Acosta was asked about his 100% record against Binder. Last season, the South African edged the Spanish newcomer by two points.

Acosta says this statistic alone doesn’t indicate that he’s maximised qualifying. Rather than focusing on Binder, his priority is getting the best out of himself.

Only four different riders have scored pole positions in 2025, but Acosta hasn’t even qualified on the front row yet. He feels he still needs an ‘extra edge’ over one lap.

• READ MORE: Neil Hodgson says Brad Binder has ‘lost his way’ after what he saw in Malaysian Grand Prix data

“A 20-0 record against your teammate doesn’t mean you’ve had good qualifying sessions – those are two different things,” he said, via Speedweek. “But it’s true that I’ve been starting more from the second row since the summer break.

“I still have room for improvement, because that’s not my greatest strength. But if I want to fight for the world championship one day, I need that extra edge. I’m working on improving – on the bike setup and on myself. I need to take a step forward in qualifying.” 

Worrying update on Brad Binder’s KTM future

It recently emerged that KTM considered replacing Binder with Vinales for 2026 until the latter injured his shoulder.

Binder has avoided being dropped to satellite team Tech3, but his stock appears to be low just weeks before the 2027 rider market begins.

As The Race revealed on Thursday, Binder’s status within KTM has suffered. Talks over extending the long-term partnership were described as ‘uncomfortable’.

KTM believe their bike is podium-level, and Binder still hasn’t posted a top-three finish of any description. For reference, Acosta has nine, while Bastianini has two.