Marco Bezzecchi
Dani Pedrosa is not quite sure if Pedro Acosta will be the ‘generational replacement’ for Marc Marquez, but he is certain that he is learning the ropes in MotoGP to be a star of the future.
The Shark has been backed as a special talent since making it to the premier class in 2024. Finishing fifth in his debut season with Tech3, he went one better in 2025, finishing fourth with 12 podiums, including Sprints.
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While he has been impressive on the RC16, the bike has not given him the tools to win a Grand Prix, giving him the record of most podiums without a victory. Acosta is ‘aggravated’ by this, but he is taking the KTM to its absolute limit.
The Spaniard wants to be winning races, and he has adopted the right mindset to do so. KTM boss Pit Beirer admits Acosta had the wrong attitude when he first started in MotoGP, and now he has matured and is making the improvements needed to be a top talent.
Dani Pedrosa says Pedro Acosta is ‘learning the ropes’ to become a MotoGP star
Speaking on the Fast & Curious podcast, former MotoGP rider and KTM test rider Pedrosa says Acosta is making the steps towards being a star in the future, but he is not sure if he will live up to replacing Marquez’s influence.
Asked if he will be the ‘generational replacement’ for Marquez, Pedrosa said: “Ah, well, I don’t know, I don’t have a crystal ball.
“Without a doubt, Pedro has some great qualities; he’s showing a lot of potential because he’s up front on the KTM, battling it out with the Aprilia and the Ducati.
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“On top of that, he’s showing he’s learning the ropes of the championship, from the media side of things, to the internal management of what you want and then what actually comes out.
“He’s also managing very well the mistakes he used to make, such as crashes at critical moments that then penalise you in qualifying, then you start badly on Sunday, and so on.
“So all of that, although it isn’t giving him the results he wants at the moment, is preparing him very well for the future. So he might enter a phase where he not only has speed, but also has already learned the ropes.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Dani Pedrosa has a warning for Marc Marquez as Pedro Acosta prepares to join Ducati
Pedrosa does not think Acosta will be champion in 2026, with KTM not being quite at the level of Aprilia and Ducati. But the Spaniard is mixing with the frontrunners and showing his credentials on inferior machinery.
Come 2027, he should have the tools to fight, with Acosta set to join Ducati. He will form a dream partnership with Marquez, which is expected to be an almighty battle.
The young Spaniard wants to ride a winning bike, while his older teammate will be keen to keep him in line and try to fight for another championship.
But Pedrosa has warned that Acosta will enter his prime soon. It should worry Marquez, as his 2027 teammate will be looking to dethrone him on equal machinery.
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