Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is rumoured to be on the cusp of becoming a factory Ducati rider for the 2027 MotoGP season, but recent comments from KTM’s Aki Ajo should send alarm bells ringing in Davide Tardozzi’s head.
Despite the fact that the 2026 MotoGP campaign is yet to get underway, the rider market for 2027 is already heating up, and the rumour mill is currently working overtime.
Pedro Acosta is understood to have signed an agreement with Ducati already, one that will see the 21-year-old don the famous red overalls of the factory team for the premier class’s new era of regulations.
It remains to be seen what the move will mean for Francesco Bagnaia, but if it does turn out to be gospel, then Ducati may have made a big mistake by putting their faith into a rider who doesn’t have what it takes to deliver under pressure.
- READ MORE: Pedro Acosta names the three riders who will challenge Marc Marquez for the 2026 MotoGP title
Who would win as teammates, Francesco Bagnaia or Pedro Acosta?
Aki Ajo says Pedro Acosta has ‘trouble’ handling pressure; he will have plenty of that at Ducati
During an interview with GPOne at KTM’s 2026 MotoGP season launch event, team manager Aki Ajo was asked about a previous comment from Acosta, where the Spaniard stated that Ajo once made him cry from his harsh words.
The Finn replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever been so hard on him that he cried, although I was strict when he was racing in the Moto3 and Moto2.
“Let’s say that, even in the first part of 2025, he had trouble handling the pressure, and there were discussions to motivate him.
“He couldn’t concentrate or, at least, not on the right things. In my opinion, communication is essential for managing the situation. Even tears can be a way to control emotions.”
Now, Acosta’s inability to face pressure should be concerning for the leadership figures within Ducati, given the immense amount of pressure that their riders are constantly under to perform.
Jack Miller previously highlighted it as the one thing he doesn’t miss from his days at Borgo Panigale, and with Acosta already tipped to become a future world champion, a lot of eyes will be on him to perform in crucial moments.
- READ MORE: Pedro Acosta issues a blunt response about his KTM future when asked about links to Ducati
Which three riders are under the most PRESSURE heading into 2026? 🥵
Francesco Bagnaia is currently under a lot of pressure to perform for Ducati in 2026
All Pedro Acosta needs to do is look at the regression of Bagnaia to realise how much pressure he will be under if he doesn’t start off on the right foot at Ducati.
Bagnaia’s woes during the 2025 MotoGP campaign were under the spotlight for the majority of the term, and it is still a huge narrative heading into the new season.
Despite the Italian being a two-time world champion at the Italian racing outfit, he is now in jeopardy of losing his ride at Ducati altogether, with Acosta ironically being tipped as the man to replace him.
Renowned rider agent Carlo Pernat has warned Bagnaia about his woes continuing into the new campaign, and if Ducati aren’t able to solve the issues that #63 has been experiencing, they could soon fall into the lap of Acosta.
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