Aki Ajo pinpoints the ‘turning point’ that sparked Pedro Acosta’s major MotoGP improvement in 2025

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Pedro Acosta’s 2025 campaign started on the wrong foot, and KTM boss Aki Ajo has pinpointed the exact moment that the young Spaniard experienced a ‘turning point’ that sparked his fine form in MotoGP this season.

Acosta has been one of the most in-form riders in recent months as he has secured consistent podiums across both race formats on his way to entering the fight for third place in the MotoGP standings.

The 21-year-old is now just 31 points behind Marco Bezzecchi for the final spot of the world championship podium, and just 26 points behind Francesco Bagnaia in fourth.

With two rounds and four races remaining, a bronze medal in the 2025 MotoGP season is well on the cards for Acosta.

The impressive form of the Murcian rider is encapsulated by Acosta’s 20-0 lead over Brad Binder in the qualifying head-to-head between the KTM teammates.

READ MORE: Pedro Acosta has shown Jorge Lorenzo the difference between a ‘great rider’ and a ‘great champion’

KTM chief Aki Ajo reveals Pedro Acosta’s ‘turning point’ in the 2025 MotoGP season

In a recent interview with Speedweek, KTM team principal Aki Ajo touched upon the impressive results that his star rider, Acosta, has recorded in recent months, as well as pinpointing the race in which he experienced a genuine ‘turning point’ atop the RC16.

He said, “I would go back much further than just the four overseas races with very good results, especially for Pedro. After we had clarified our responsibilities and improved communication, the tests in Jerez and then Aragon unleashed new energy and motivation.

“Everyone then had more confidence in the project. For Pedro, the turning point came in Assen, even though the results only improved significantly from Brno onwards.”

Neil Hodgson highlighted Acosta’s change in attitude during his commentary duties in Brno. The former rider noted that he saw how the 21-year-old turned up to the Sachsenring, in the round following the Dutch TT, with a much more ‘positive’ attitude.

Ajo also drew attention back to Maverick Vinales’ P2 finish in Qatar, before he was slapped with a tyre pressure penalty that dropped him down to 14th, as having an important effect on Acosta’s attitude.

The Finnish team boss added, “It was an early highlight that showed everyone what’s possible. After a difficult winter in every respect and a not-so-good first race, that was also a great achievement.

“This also positively changed Pedro’s attitude, which wasn’t always the best. Which was understandable, because he had a fantastic rookie season, and it didn’t continue so easily. It’s only human.”

READ MORE: Pedro Acosta publicly explains why he tried to find a way out of KTM for the 2026 MotoGP season

Aki Ajo also highlighted how Marc Marquez has made the difference on a MotoGP grid that is ‘so close’

Ajo also highlighted the importance of taking small steps during their approach to emerge as a candidate for consistent race wins, as he noted how tight the MotoGP grid has become this season despite the dominance shown by Ducati’s Marc Marquez.

In his interview with Speedweek, the KTM boss continued with, “I’m a proponent of understanding things and preferring to take smaller steps. It’s all about improvement every single day with a realistic approach.

“That’s the only way to achieve consistency. MotoGP has evolved to the point where that’s all it’s about. The competition has become so close.

“It’s no longer normal for one manufacturer to win everything – even if Marc Marquez made the difference in 2025.

“The fact is, all manufacturers reach a point where they encounter problems. Consistently finishing between second and fifth place is incredibly difficult, but it’s the most important goal.

“Two years ago, if a winning rider had a weak weekend, he would finish third or fourth. If he does that today, he’s immediately between 10th and 15th place.”

Amid rumours of pairing the world-beating Spaniard in 2027, Acosta addressed Ducati’s biggest concern regarding a potential partnership between the two highly ambitious riders.

The 21-year-old stated that having a nine-time world champion in the form of Marquez alongside him ‘certainly wouldn’t hurt.’