During the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, overshadowed discussions about Jorge Martin and Aprilia made headlines, but a developing issue involving Pedro Acosta and KTM has quietly begun to draw attention. Pedro Acosta KTM MotoGP contract concerns are intensifying as the young rider publicly expressed dissatisfaction with KTM’s current support and machinery after his performance at Silverstone in 2024.
Acosta, the two-time world champion in Moto3 (2021) and Moto2 (2023), finished sixth at the British GP, his second-best Sunday result this season. While the race marked his closest gap to the winner, just seven seconds behind Marco Bezzecchi, the achievement came amid specific circumstances that benefited his tire choice. He highlighted ongoing struggles with the KTM RC16 bike, citing a lack of grip compared to competitors.
Pedro Acosta Signals Frustration Over KTM’s Performance and Support
At Silverstone, Acosta was notably candid about the limits of his KTM machine. Despite chasing competitive lap times, he remarked that the bike
“lacks the grip of the others,”
underlining the challenges he faces against rivals enjoying better development advantages. Japanese manufacturers currently benefit from more extensive testing concessions, a factor KTM does not have, which contributes to the gap on pace.
Acosta also commented on recent rival improvements, saying,
“I heard Yamaha brought a new chassis, took pole and could have won the race,”
—Pedro Acosta, MotoGP rider
His tone quickly shifted from mere critique to a sense of urgency and warning for KTM’s factory team. He stressed his impatience with the situation and made it clear he expects stronger factory backing to contend seriously for the MotoGP world championship.
Image of: Pedro Acosta
“You’re only young until you’re not,”
he said, emphasizing that time is limited and opportunity should not be wasted. Discussing his contract, Acosta added,
“I’ve got another year on my deal, but this week I’ve made it clear: I need help. I don’t want to come to races just to burn fuel.”
Further expressing his commitment yet concern, he declared,
“I still believe in this project. And I’m not talking about winning the championship this year or next, but at least feeling like I’m fighting for something. I signed this deal to fight for a title – even if I end up losing [that fight].”
KTM’s Financial and Competitive Challenges Amid Internal Pressures
KTM’s MotoGP program has been grappling with numerous obstacles, including financial uncertainty that threatened the future of its racing efforts. Recent reports revealed that Bajaj, a significant stakeholder alongside KTM’s former CEO Stefan Pierer, injected €600 million to stabilize the broader group. Yet, it remains unclear how much of this funding will be allocated specifically to the MotoGP division.
Motorsport insiders suggest that Bajaj considered exiting the championship entirely in recent weeks. Nonetheless, KTM’s faith in the future remains tethered to long-term prospects, such as the new technical regulations arriving in 2027 and Liberty Media’s upcoming takeover as series promoter, which could revitalize the sport. However, a key question lingers about whether KTM might reduce its presence by scaling back to a single factory team, potentially selling off its Tech3 grid entries.
Contractual Stakes and Future Uncertainty for Pedro Acosta
For Acosta, the survival of KTM’s MotoGP team alone is insufficient. The rider demands the competitive packages and support promised when he signed his recent extension. KTM views Acosta as a cornerstone for the future, making the possibility of losing him a critical concern. From Acosta’s side, however, prolonged frustration is unsustainable if the bike and factory cannot provide the tools to fight at the front.
Acosta is reportedly attracting interest from multiple suitors, with VR46 standing out as a leading team keen to acquire him possibly in 2026. Any move, though, depends heavily on the ability to terminate Acosta’s KTM contract early—an obstacle because his deal likely lacks a release clause similar to the one Jorge Martin had with Aprilia.
Martin was able to exit KTM in 2020 thanks to such a provision, negotiated by his agent Albert Valera, who also represents Acosta. After Martin’s departure, KTM tightened contract terms to prevent another early exit.
Regarding the unfolding situation, KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer refrained from discussing Martin’s scenario and emphasized the team’s current position:
“I won’t comment on Martin and Aprilia’s situation,”
he told reporters shortly before Acosta’s public remarks.
“I haven’t spoken to them. We’re happy with our team and our riders aren’t on the market for next year.”
—Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director
The Broader Implications of Acosta’s Discontent on KTM’s Strategy
The rising unrest from Pedro Acosta exposes underlying strains within KTM’s MotoGP operations, signaling a critical juncture for both rider and manufacturer. If unresolved, Acosta’s concerns could lead to a destabilization of KTM’s future talent pipeline, especially given the company’s recent financial troubles and evolving competitive landscape.
How KTM manages Acosta’s demands and balances fiscal pressures with technical development will likely shape its program’s trajectory amid shifting regulations and a new series promoter. For Acosta, the coming months will be pivotal in determining if he can access the machinery and support to fulfill his championship aspirations or if alternative team options will precipitate a contract showdown.
