After two titles in Moto3 and Moto2, Pedro Acosta was presented as the future champion of MotoGP. But under the pressure of the KTM team, he had to rethink his approach to shine in the premier category. A challenge worthy of his ambitions, but not without its pitfalls.
A Chaotic Start to the Season
For his second season in MotoGP, Acosta was promoted to the official KTM team. However, while expectations were high, the reality was quite different. The financial difficulties of the previous year had led to a lack of significant evolution of the bike, and the young rider found himself struggling at the handlebars. It’s a bit like going from a flashy supercar to a boring sedan; the excitement is quickly replaced by disillusionment.
Maverick Viñales: The Rising Star
At the same time, Maverick Viñales, who was discovering the RC16 with Tech3, began to shine right from the Qatar Grand Prix. Indeed, he managed to reach the podium before being penalized for low tire pressure. “Maverick saved our butts,” said Pit Beirer, director of KTM Motorsports, to Speedweek. “The riders were starting to wonder if the bike was really competitive, while Maverick continued to assert that it had the potential to reach the podium.”
A Necessary Boost
Viñales’ enthusiasm was confirmed during the sprint at Mugello, where he finished fourth. This reassured Beirer that KTM could aim for good results, even with older material: “We were very close to the podium with the old material. We knew improvements were on the way.”
Pit Beirer had a frank discussion with Pedro Acosta.
A Necessary Reframing for Acosta
Maverick Viñales’ performances also allowed KTM to reframe Pedro Acosta. The latter, being very critical of his manufacturer’s difficulties, began to mention discussions with VR46, which did not please Beirer. The Austrian reminded him of a fundamental truth: before criticizing, he had to first get the best out of his material. “I was with him in the truck and I told him: ‘Dude, you are excellent, you are the future of this championship. But if you are as good as you think, you must first prove it at KTM. Maverick is constantly ahead of you. If you think the bike doesn’t suit you, prove otherwise!’
A Change of Mindset
This moment of exchange was not the most pleasant for Acosta, who felt offended. However, he reacted by adjusting his approach. He called on expert Carmelo Morales to help him and began to approach races with a more relaxed vision, accepting to settle for honorable finishes. This change in mentality paid off: he finished nine of the last eleven races of the year in the top 5 and even managed to snatch fourth place in the championship from Pecco Bagnaia.
Concrete Results
Pedro Acosta thus became a regular podium contender by the end of the season. “He wanted to prove to everyone what he was capable of, and that’s exactly what he did,” Beirer rejoiced. Unfortunately, Maverick’s injury slowed the momentum, but Beirer does not forget to pay tribute to his teammate: “We must thank Maverick, who laid the foundations for the podiums we achieved at the end of the year.”
In summary, Acosta’s evolution is a perfect example of the resilience needed in the ruthless world of MotoGP. His journey reminds us that sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. And who knows? With a little more work and the right attitude, he could very well become the future champion everyone is waiting for.
