MotoGP's Pedro Acosta Says New KTM Makes Him 'Super Confident' Ahead of Likely Team Switch

Rumors are swirling that KTM's Pedro Acosta will switch to either Ducati's factory team or one of its satellite teams for the 2027 MotoGP season. But Acosta also praised the new 2026 KTM he'll race.

By: Jonathon Klein

Feb 2, at 8:44am ET

Comment

The 2025 MotoGP season just wasn't the best for rising superstar Pedro Acosta. In fact, it flat-out sucked for the young rider.

I was initially blown away by how Acosta could wrangle a motorcycle, as I saw a lot of the great racers in his style. He was, and is, fearless. But the 2025 KTM that he piloted, something that struggled for most, just didn't jive with how he rides.

As you'd expect with a top talent like Acosta, mid-year rumors began to fly around whether or not he'd leave for greener pastures. Add to the fact that KTM had suffered numerous self-inflicted financial woes, and the company's future within the sport continues to remain murky at best, and it's easy to see why Acosta would want to jump ship. He's also represented by Jorge Martin's manager, Albert Valera, who's a freakin' bulldog.

Those rumors haven't died down ahead of the 2026 season's start date, and they now point to the rider going to something from the Borgo Panigale squad of Ducati for the big rule change 2027 season. That said, whether or not it's the factory-supported team or a satellite is still in question. To Acosta's credit, however, he seems optimistic about what's likely his last with KTM, as according to the rider, the new bike feels as if the team started from scratch.

Speaking to our siblings over at Motorsport, Acosta told the outlet, "At the beginning of last year, we went to the Malaysia [test] with some updates of my 2024 bike, but it was not really anything new until mid-season. This year, I see a bigger step, maybe not two [steps], but I see a completely new bike building from zero. And this makes you super confident."

I mean, based on last season, a tricycle would be better than that albatross that hung around Acosta's neck. Granted, he still came in fourth in the rider's championship, but that's still off the podium. The racer also addressed that last year's KTM is different than this year's, as the brand's financial situation is different, and there are fewer issues around the company and factory.

Tell us what you think!

View

Comments

"Also, it's true that the general situation of the factory is not the same as one year ago," said Acosta, "You can feel it in the face of the people, that everyone is more calm and more confident. This makes you breathe." While that might be true from his point of view, KTM's future and finances still are very much up in the air, as the company barely sold many new motorcycles, and revenue and sales tanked.

As for moving, Acosta told Motorsport, "Well, I think those who are happy where they are will stay, and those who aren't will move on. With such a big question mark, as we don't know what will happen in 2027, people who are comfortable won't take any risks either, because at least they are comfortable with the people they are with. So, well, it will be a question mark for everyone."

That's pretty wishy-washy, but Acosta hasn't been shy about his grievances with KTM. And KTM hasn't been able to stem the tide of bad news on financial issues within the company, nor how it was rumored to be looking to offload its grid spots. Likewise, its sister team, Tech3, was just sold off, and both Suzuki and BMW are looking to get back into the sport.

Honestly, my best guess is that while Acosta wants a seat next to Marquez at Ducati, Valentino Rossi's VR46 Ducati satellite team seems more likely. At least at this stage of the season. We'll have to see what happens next, but my personal choice would be to put both Marquez boys in factory red, because imagine a brother vs. brother pairing. Woof.