Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is one of the hottest commodities on the MotoGP rider market in 2026. Wherever he goes, he’ll command a handsome offer.
There isn’t really much KTM can do to keep him currently, other than perform miracles that don’t seem possible within their current setup.
If Acosta does leave them for 2027, he will have given them three years of service and plenty of time to produce a winning bike.
He showed his heroics last year, defending for his life towards the end of some races. The MotoGP rider market is about to move fast, and he’ll be one of the first to make a decision.
Is Pedro Acosta joining Ducati inevitable?
Although it might seem as though January is early to be thinking about the future, Acosta’s manager thinks Marc Marquez will move first, before allowing the rest of the grid to take shape. There are bound to be some surprising transfers sooner rather than later.
Acosta’s manager has strongly hinted that he’s about to leave KTM, but it isn’t likely to be long before fans get confirmation if that is the case.
READ MORE: Valentino Rossi and VR46 have already made a mistake that will cost them Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta must be aware of Honda and Yamaha who are ‘ahead’ in MotoGP rider negotiations for 2027
Acosta ‘appears to have already signed’ a 2027 deal, with one report suggesting that he has already decided that Ducati is where he wants to be.
There’s no confirmation of that report, though, and it feels highly unlikely that the Italian manufacturer would make such a move without confirming Marquez’s future first.
KTM wanted to pair Marquez and Acosta in a third entry for 2024, but were denied permission by then-owners Dorna.
That would’ve been a transformational market move, but it didn’t happen. Ultimately, Marquez ended up being more successful than he could have dreamed of in 2025.
But if Acosta wants to secure his next post soon, and is tempted by an opening at either of the Japanese manufacturers, he might want to consider getting a move on.
Motorsport.com’s Spanish edition reports that Honda and Yamaha are ‘ahead’ of their rivals in negotiations ahead of 2027. They’re trying to be the first to lock down their desired line-ups.
Acosta to Yamaha feels almost impossible, given how much work they have to do to return to the top, but a Honda gig might not be out of the question.
READ MORE: MotoGP insiders think Honda are now willing to make giant offers to two rival riders over 2027 move
Why Pedro Acosta is going to be a giant coup for any MotoGP team
Acosta is KTM’s ‘jewel’ and has been their best performer over the last two seasons. Gradually, he has become more consistent.
The big thing for anyone who signs him is the potential upside. He may be one of just four drivers who have never won a race, but he has all the things required to be a champion.
Now, he just needs the tools at his disposal to be able to compete. Signing a contract for 2027 is always going to be a gamble, no matter who it’s with.
New regulations create fresh doubts, and there’s no guarantee that the likes of Ducati and Aprilia will be winning most races. It could all change in one winter.
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