Pol Espargaro outlines KTM’s new upgrades which could convince Pedro Acosta to stay beyond 2026

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Pedro Acosta wants to see KTM fighting at the front in MotoGP, and he may soon have the tools to do that amid uncertainty surrounding his future.

The Spaniard had a frustrating start to the 2025 season, and he and his fellow KTM riders struggled to adapt to the RC16. Maverick Vinales became Acosta’s reference as he found a breakthrough on the bike, while the 21-year-old suffered multiple crashes.

The difficult nature of the bike, as well as KTM’s desperate financial crisis, led to Acosta attempting to break his contract. He was eyeing a move to VR46, but Dorna blocked any rider from leaving their agreements before 2026.

Since the summer break, Acosta has found new momentum and confidence in the RC16, now outright being their top rider. He has grabbed four podiums since Brno and is edging closer to his maiden MotoGP win.

It also came in the Sprint race at the Portuguese Grand Prix as he battled Alex Marquez for victory. It was a tense fight between the Spaniards, but Acosta lost to Marquez by just a tenth of a second.

Pol Espargaro says KTM’s new upgrades could bring Pedro Acosta closer to the Ducatis

With his newfound confidence on the RC16 and helped by Marc Marquez’s injury, Acosta is suddenly in a position to fight for regular podiums. All he is missing is that first win, but KTM have struggled to provide him with a machine that is capable of winning.

But speaking to Motosan after the Sprint at Portimao, KTM test rider Pol Espargaro, who is standing in for the injured Vinales, says the team’s new upgrade package could bring Acosta closer to the Ducatis. It could be what convinces him to stay beyond 2026.

Assessing Acosta’s talent, Espargaro said: “Spectacular, he’s one of those talents that comes along only once in a blue moon, and we’re lucky to have him at KTM and enjoy his talent. We hope he stays with us for a long time, beyond next year. We have to give him the tools to reach his full potential.

“We have upgrades that are about to arrive, which we know work and which we’ll implement soon. That’s going to give him a boost, and it won’t be long now.”

When asked if Acosta is above his bike, Espargaro replied: “We all know which factory is making riders shine who, frankly, have less talent than him.

It’s mathematical; we saw Marc struggle with the Honda, and when he got on the Ducati, he started winning, and this year he’s world champion. The bike matters, and we don’t have the best on the grid, that’s clear, but we’re making important steps, and we have a Pedro who’s convinced he can win.

“When he’s convinced and does what he does, the results come. Pedro is very fast, one of the three best riders on the grid without a doubt.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend

Pedro Acosta has his eyes set on Ducati – can KTM convince him to stay?

Acosta has beaten Brad Binder in every qualifying session in 2025, despite him saying that it is not his strong suit. It highlights just how far ahead he is of the other KTM riders and how important he is to the manufacturer.

With his contract running out in 2026, the Spaniard is desperate to win with the Austrian outfit. If their upgrade package can bring Acosta closer to the frontrunners and challenge for wins, it could be enough to convince him to stay.

But the Austrian outfit will be under pressure to deliver, especially with their financial crisis hinting at cuts to the MotoGP project. It could get in the way of further improvements, which could lead Acosta to Ducati.

VR46 will do ‘everything’ to sign Acosta in 2027, according to Uccio Salucci. The 21-year-old wants to ride a Ducati, and he will certainly explore that option if KTM cannot give him a winning bike.