KTM team principal Pit Beirer has openly conceded that the manufacturer has not yet accomplished enough to secure Pedro Acosta’s commitment past 2026, though he remains hopeful that improvements demonstrated during the current season will positively influence contract discussions. The issue gains urgency as the MotoGP regulations are set to change in 2027, adding complexity to Acosta’s long-term role within KTM’s lineup.
Acosta, a rider developed through KTM’s junior system, has become vital to the team’s MotoGP efforts. Nonetheless, uncertainty looms since rival manufacturers, notably Ducati, are reportedly targeting him as a replacement for Francesco Bagnaia, whose recent performances have not met expectations. Such a transfer would create a powerful pairing with Marc Marquez at Ducati but would also deprive KTM of one of its leading scorers in previous seasons.
Performance and Development Impacting Contract Talks
Beirer admitted that KTM’s recent results have not fully aligned with Acosta’s expectations, which has stalled securing a new deal. KTM has committed a focused development push through the winter, aiming to demonstrate tangible progress on the bike early this season. Beirer emphasized that the upcoming Sepang test is critical for showing the team’s advancements not only to Acosta but to all KTM riders, setting the stage for future contract discussions.
Regarding KTM’s progress, Beirer stated,
“We haven’t done enough yet because we need to prove first. The end of the year gave him confidence, but he made no secret that he still expects another step on the bike and that we are in a position to offer him a contract for the future.”
He continued,
“We made a very clear plan about how we’re going to face the beginning of the season and how we’re going to especially face the Sepang test. I’m pretty sure that the Sepang test will be quite important for us to show not just Pedro, but all our riders what we could deliver over the winter.”
“I’m confident we will deliver, we will have a good Sepang test. Then, out of that atmosphere, we want to really talk to our riders about the future. I don’t want to talk to them right now when they all expect us a step. Of course, we promise a step, we work really, really hard.”
He added,
“We did the homework, we need to get some good lap times in Sepang. The feeling for the rider is important. It’s not just the lap time; it’s like how they jump on the bike. There are some problems we wanted to fix. They are solved and that’s why I feel we have a chance to talk to Pedro about the future.”
– Pit Beirer, KTM Team Principal
Acosta’s Rise and Early Season Struggles
After a notable rookie season in 2024 with Tech3, Acosta advanced to KTM’s factory team in 2025 alongside Brad Binder. However, initial difficulties emerged due to financial constraints within KTM, hampering development and leaving Acosta positioned around the midfield during the season’s first half. Significant upgrades only arrived in August at the Austrian Grand Prix, enabling Acosta to return to contention for podium finishes and demonstrate the potential of the KTM RC16.
Beirer acknowledged these early challenges were tough for a rider with Acosta’s ambition. The Spaniard’s desire to win, combined with the team’s limitations, created tension around performance expectations. Beirer reflected on this period:
“I think it was no secret that for Pedro everything other than winning was lost. Then he tried too hard to win and not accept that we were not in the position.”
– Pit Beirer, KTM Team Principal
Rebuilding Momentum After Midseason Break
Following the summer break, KTM underwent what Beirer described as a “restart,” addressing both technical issues and financial obstacles. With parts arriving later than planned and the team rallying to strengthen cohesion, KTM gradually climbed back towards regular podium finishes by the end of the year, recovering lost ground in the championship.
Beirer summed up the turnaround, stating:
“Basically, for us, it was a restart after summer break because this was all the time we needed to regroup mentally, some parts and the financial situation, then seeing how the team really stuck together and started to do results and climb on the podium quite regularly to the end of the season.”
– Pit Beirer, KTM Team Principal
Significance of Upcoming Tests and Season Developments
KTM’s ability to convince Pedro Acosta to remain beyond 2026 will likely hinge on the progress demonstrated in the forthcoming season, particularly during the Sepang test. Success in these critical moments not only affects KTM’s competitive performance but also determines the stability and future trajectory of its rider lineup amid a period of regulatory change.
The negotiation dynamics underscore the wider stakes involved: losing Acosta to Ducati would impact KTM’s prospects significantly, given the rider’s importance to their championship points last season. Meanwhile, Ducati’s pursuit signals a potential reshuffle at the podium-contending level within MotoGP, raising anticipation over how the season’s developments will unfold.
