Pedro Acosta approached the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi without setting high expectations, despite narrowly missing a victory there last year. The KTM rider demonstrated strong pace in both the sprint and the grand prix races during his rookie season but fell in each event, preventing him from securing a top finish.
Reviewing Last Year’s Performance and This Season’s Context
In 2023 at Motegi, Acosta led the sprint race for much of the event before crashing late, while during the main race he also went down despite showing potential to contend for the win. After gaining momentum recently as the 2025 season progressed, he has become one of the riders to watch at the Japanese round.
However, on Thursday, Acosta urged caution, emphasizing a measured perspective going into the weekend.
“I mean, last year from the moment I jumped on the bike we were quite competitive,”
he said.
“Let’s see what is going on this year. Being honest, I’m not expecting anything. Let’s see what happens when I am on the bike on Friday, and after that let’s try to work. Well, I think we should suit [this track].”
The bike has undergone significant changes since last year, with a more balanced setup this season. Acosta explained,
“But, as I said, no expectations. It’s true that the bike changed a lot. It looks now more balanced. Last year we were super strong on brakes and this year it looks not that much.”
He added,
“But we are improving in many areas. For this, I think we have to be calm and not think so much.”
Areas for Improvement Ahead of Final Rounds
Qualifying has been a persistent challenge for Acosta throughout the season, as he has yet to secure a front-row spot. He identified this aspect, along with race management, as key areas to address in the closing stages of the campaign.
“Well, again, no targets,” Acosta remarked.
“Try to be always in this top five, try to be constantly competitive. I think I need to improve how I am managing the races, how the guys are managing the race weekend. I think we have to improve everyone, but we are getting closer.”
Specifically focusing on qualifying, Acosta noted the time lost at the start of races due to needing to overtake.
“More than anything [I need to improve qualifying] because we are losing too much time at the beginning of races trying to overtake. It’s true that for the TV it’s quite nice, but for the result it’s not that good. In Barcelona we saw at the beginning I was able to be quite fast starting more in front.”
He concluded,
“It’s never easy to come back every weekend from the third row of the grid. Let’s try to improve that area from here to the end of the season.”
Looking Ahead to Motegi and Beyond
Acosta’s cautious approach highlights the unpredictable nature of MotoGP racing and the importance of steady progress over lofty promises. His strong performances at Motegi last year, combined with improvements in bike setup this season, position him as a rider capable of making an impact if key areas improve, especially qualifying.
As the series moves toward its final rounds, both Acosta and the KTM team are focused on refining race weekend management and qualifying pace to enhance his chances of better results. This balanced mindset suggests that while expectations remain grounded, the potential for success at the Japanese Grand Prix and subsequent races continues.
