‘Everyone’ at KTM is ‘resigned’ to losing Pedro Acosta next year amid Ducati links

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Pedro Acosta is exploring his options for the 2027 MotoGP season, and KTM seem to already know what the outcome will be.

The Spaniard has been public about his discontent with the Austrian manufacturer in 2025. Their financial crisis over the winter unsettled Acosta about where the RC16 was in terms of performance; his fears would be quickly vindicated.

KTM’s riders struggled to adapt to the bike at the start of the season, with the 21-year-old crashing regularly. Acosta openly criticised KTM to the media as he vented his frustrations about the team’s situation.

His anger eventually led him to try and break his contract for the 2026 season. Acosta flirted with VR46 amid interest from Valentino Rossi, but a move did not materialise.

KTM blocked their star rider from leaving his contract early as they demanded a high payout fee. After a change of approach, Acosta improved his form dramatically in the second half of the season, but he is mounting more pressure on the team in 2026.

‘Everyone’ at KTM is ‘resigned’ to losing Pedro Acosta in 2026

The Shark grabbed 12 podiums, including Sprint races, in the second half of 2025, which guided him to fourth in the standings, his best finish in MotoGP.

Despite this success, Acosta called 2025 a ‘wasted year of life’, as he wants to be winning races. He is one of four riders on the current grid yet to win in MotoGP, and KTM do not have the tools to give him a winning machine.

Acosta claimed he has ‘repaid’ KTM for what they invested in him and is now considering his options for 2026. According to a report from MOW, the Austrian outfit seem to think that the Spaniard has already made up his mind.

‘Everyone’ at KTM ‘now seems resigned to having to say goodbye’ to Acosta next year amid interest from Ducati and Honda. Unless they can drastically improve the bike, it looks like the 21-year-old’s exit from the team is all but confirmed.

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

Pedro Acosta is a top target to replace Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati

Uccio Salucci says VR46 will do everything to sign Acosta, having missed out on him earlier in the year. The Spaniard wants to ride a Ducati, but he may not be racing for a satellite team in 2027.

Acosta is Ducati’s top target to replace Francesco Bagnaia if the Italian cannot improve his form next year. He finished below the KTM star in fifth in the standings after a dismal end to 2025, retiring from six of the last seven races.

The Borgo Panigale outfit are looking at several alternatives to Bagnaia, including Fabio Quartararo, Fermin Aldeguer and David Alonso.

However, it is understood that Acosta is in a ‘dominant’ position to join Ducati if Bagnaia fails to perform again. It appears that KTM are seeing this as a harsh reality.