Despite Pedro Acosta’s recent Sprint race victory at the Thailand Grand Prix, Carl Fogarty maintains that Acosta is not yet a genuine MotoGP winner. Acosta secured his first top spot in the premier class during Saturday’s Sprint race but has yet to claim a full Grand Prix triumph. The young Spaniard’s status remains under debate as he continues to rise through the ranks.
Acosta has been praised as the most promising MotoGP talent since Marc Marquez, yet critics highlight his inability to win a main race in his first two seasons, especially given the performance limitations of his KTM bike. At the Chang International Circuit, Acosta finished second to Marco Bezzecchi in the main race, adding to his tally of 11 podium finishes without a Grand Prix victory. This leaves him just one podium short of matching Colin Edwards’ record for most podiums without a win.
The Debate Surrounding Sprint Race Wins and Official Victories
Fogarty and others emphasize that official race wins in MotoGP only include full Grand Prix events, not Sprint races introduced at the start of the 2023 season. While Sprint race winners receive recognition, these results do not count toward official victory totals. For example, Marc Marquez’s count of 99 wins does not consider his Sprint race successes, which would otherwise elevate his total to 114.
Acosta is currently the only rider competing who has recorded a Sprint win without securing a full Grand Prix victory, reigniting debates about how victories should be tallied in the modern era of MotoGP.
Carl Fogarty Weighs In on Sprint Race Wins
Joining the ongoing discussion on X, four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty stated clearly:
No, it shouldn’t count as a GP win, and neither should the WSBK sprint race count as one.
Fogarty’s comment highlights the distinction between different race formats in motorcycle racing, with World Superbike weekends featuring two main races plus a Sprint-style ‘superpole’ event on Sunday that also does not count as a win.
Marc Marquez Responds to Acosta’s Recent Performance
Acosta’s victory in the Buriram Sprint involved a close battle with Marc Marquez, aided by a contentious penalty against the reigning champion. This encounter marked a key moment in their budding rivalry as Acosta prepares to join Marquez’s former Ducati factory team in 2027. Marquez delivered a playful warning to Acosta that his championship lead would be short-lived but enters the next round in Brazil maintaining his points advantage.
Acosta and Marquez Exchange Remarks Amid Rising Rivalry
Following the race, Acosta challenged Marquez’s claim that his championship lead was fleeting, insisting that it reflected more than just a single day’s success. When confronted with Acosta’s comments, Marquez pointed out that he had won his title during his debut season, emphasizing his own early achievement. However, Marquez later softened his stance in an interview, describing Acosta as “special” and labeling him
“the benchmark for the younger generation,”
potentially easing tensions between the two competitors.
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