Pedro Acosta suggests 2025 was a ‘wasted year of life’ after KTM struggles

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Pedro Acosta confirmed fourth spot in the MotoGP standings at the Valencia Grand Prix, but may still be leaving the track frustrated.

The Spaniard also finished fourth in Sunday’s race, being overtaken by VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio in the closing stages. His KTM bike could offer little resistance.

Acosta’s second half of the MotoGP campaign has been very well put together, failing to finish in the top five just twice since the summer break.

But his discontent, which slowed up as his team’s bike improved throughout the season, still exists. Two years in, and he still doesn’t have a first victory.

Neil Hodgson’s post-season testing comments for Acosta were spot on, as he suggested that the team needs to bring something extra to their bike to convince him to stay.

Pit Beirer knows Acosta is too good for KTM currently, and it’s vital that they make use of his skillset in 2026.

READ MORE: Pol Espargaro privately named the only two MotoGP riders who are in the same bracket as Pedro Acosta

Pedro Acosta says KTM just ‘wasted a year’ with him in 2025

Marc Marquez thinks Acosta can win the 2026 title, but it means that KTM are going to need to bring something quite special to the table.

Their tyre wear has been too poor this season, and their rider has been left to defend with little at the end of too many races.

Acosta is working on his ‘weak points’ and still has plenty of room for development at the age of 21, but he feels the urgency of his current situation.

The Spaniard wants to win now, and that has always been his aim. After the Valencia Grand Prix, he spoke of how KTM have ‘wasted’ 2025, despite a stronger end to the year.

“Today’s race was what we expected,” he told the Italian edition of Motorsport.com. “Suffering at the start, going more or less well in the middle, and then struggling again at the end. Here in MotoGP, there’s no magic, you have to know where everyone is.

“The season was a bit of a shame, we didn’t fight for anything, it was like a wasted year of my life. It is what it is. I told KTM on the first day that I wanted to come here: I didn’t come for this [to finish fourth in the standings].

“I think I’ve made a big step forward since mid-year. I think I’ve gained consistency, I can read the races better, I can hold on the bike, whereas before I crashed a lot. But it’s not enough to aim for podiums every now and then.”

READ MORE: Pedro Acosta told to pursue ‘golden ticket’ opportunity for the 2027 MotoGP season

Why KTM cannot afford to lose Pedro Acosta to a MotoGP rival

Losing Acosta at this stage in his career would be a hammer blow for KTM, who have invested a lot in his development.

Just as they’re beginning to see the fruits of that, there’s a chance that it gets snapped out of their hands, which would be devastating.

Riders like Acosta don’t pop up every day, and that’s why the entire grid would like to have him in their team.

KTM’s new upgrades could convince Acosta to stay, but he’s going to want to see clear progress and a shot at beating Ducati to do so.