KTM has revealed the designs for the 2026 season that Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder will race in, marking the final year before a significant rule change in the championship. For Acosta, the young Spanish rider from Mazarrón, this season represents a critical turning point as he prepares to face essential tests starting in Sepang.
Acosta Reflects on His Gradual Rise Within KTM’s Ranks
After several years devoted to KTM, Acosta, nicknamed Tiburon, is finally reaching the podium in the premier class, an achievement long awaited by the Austrian manufacturer and the rider himself. His name has become a hot topic amid speculations across the rider market, with many teams expressing strong interest. While decisions about his future will need to be made soon, Acosta prefers to begin this season with tempered personal expectations, believing that high pressure may have limited his growth during the latter half of last season when he finished fourth overall.
Acosta Discusses Adjusted Mindset Going Into 2026
Reflecting on his approach, Acosta said,
“I was positively surprised by the work done by KTM before the start of the season,”
highlighting the shift in his mindset.
“This year, I started with a different mindset than last season. I don’t want to say that I was too positive, but expectations were very high, and because of that, it wasn’t always easy to accept the difficult moments. We will try to keep my expectations lower, as I did in the second half of last season, and then we’ll see what happens in testing.”
The Role of Lowered Expectations in Managing Race Pressure
When asked why reducing expectations can help, Acosta recalled challenging moments from previous races:
“I think back to last year, to Thailand, Argentina, Austria, Italy, and it wasn’t easy to accept things and come back to the real world. I felt that maintaining that level of expectation made it even more difficult to deal with problems during the race weekend. So the goal will be to stay calm, I’ll try to be cooler and not let my emotions get the better of me, so that I can see the problems and try to solve them.”
Prospects for Performance Amid Development Freeze
With development frozen in 2026, Acosta weighed the chances of closing the gap to more dominant manufacturers. He expressed cautious optimism, saying,
“We’ll see what happens in Malaysia. I’ve seen how KTM has worked over the winter, and I must admit I’m impressed. However, we don’t know how the rival manufacturers have worked, also considering the upcoming rule change. So it’s difficult to say who will be the team to beat. I’m quite optimistic. I don’t know how far behind we’ll be, but I hope not too far in Malaysia, knowing that it’s not our easiest track. I can’t wait to get on the bike and see how things will be.”
Improvements Seen in KTM’s Winter Preparation
Acosta acknowledged noticeable advancements from KTM over the offseason, noting,
“Last year we went to Malaysia with some updates to my 2024 bike but it was not really anything new until mid-season. This year I see a big step, maybe not completely, but I feel like it’s a completely new bike, built from zero, and this makes you super confident. It’s true that the general situation in the factory is not the same as it was one year ago, but you can see that in the face of the people, everyone is more calm and confident, and this makes you believe, let’s say.”
Technical Challenges Acosta Wants Addressed
Addressing specific performance issues, Acosta shared,
“Last year, in some races, we were competitive in the sprints, but then in the races it was different. The bike was inconsistent, and above all, there was a big drop in tyre performance. I think that if we can solve these problems, we will be more competitive and have more traction to be able to finish the race still alive. There were races where we did seven laps and the rest was pure suffering, and in others it wasn’t like that, so that’s what I asked for.”
Focus on Consistency Over Immediate Victory
While the pursuit of a first win remains a motivation, Acosta emphasized the need to maintain steady results before chasing top honors. He said,
“First of all, it will be important to rediscover the consistency we had at the end of 2025. I think that’s what made me improve the most and allowed me to consistently finish in the top 5. It was in the second half of the championship that I started to develop the mentality that I wanted everyone to be with me. Then, of course, there were better and worse moments, like at Phillip Island. I think that with that consistency, victory will come sooner or later. It’s consistency that led us to finish fourth at the end of the season.”
Addressing Future Rumors While Prioritizing Current Season
Amid pervasive rumors about rider transfers, Acosta remains focused on the current challenges.
“Right now, I want to focus on the tests in Malaysia. We are in 2026, and I want to get good results like we did in the second half of 2025. I think it’s still too early to talk about the market. I believe that 2027 will be a question mark for everyone,”
he explained.
Mentorship and Training Approaches in the Offseason
Regarding training influences, Acosta reflected on his collaboration with his mentor, Carmelo Morales, contrasting with Maverick Vinales working alongside Jorge Lorenzo.
“It’s difficult to have an opinion on this just by looking at pictures. I’d like it if it helped him, it would be an opportunity for me to grow as well. Everyone has their own path. Maverick’s is now with Lorenzo, mine is with Carmelo Morales, who I’ve been working with since last season. He hasn’t ridden in the world championship, but I think he’s a highly respected figure with a lot of experience. He helped me clear up a lot of doubts because there was a moment when I didn’t know why things weren’t working out for me. That’s when I made an important mental leap. He helped me more on a personal level than on the track, so I think I’ll continue like this this season. I believe we are an excellent team. We worked all winter and prepared for the tests in Malaysia.”
Assessing the Competition: Marquez and Other Championship Contenders
On the topic of Marc Marquez, who has not competed since an injury in Indonesia, Acosta stated,
“He’s the guy who should have the number 1 on his bike. After all, he came through a difficult five-year period, got on the bike, and immediately fought for the championship. That’s why, even with his injury, he’ll be the man to beat, but I think we also have to take Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez, and Pecco into account, because I think they’re the riders who will fight for the championship, but it’s clear that Marc will still be the man everyone will be fighting against.”
Uncertainties Surrounding the 2027 Season Grid
Looking ahead, Acosta described the upcoming grid shifts as uncertain.
“I think those who are happy will stay where they are, those who aren’t won’t. I think 2027 will be a big question mark for everyone because we don’t know what to expect, so those who are in a comfortable situation will opt for the one with people they get along with.”
