Pedro Acosta expressed deep frustration after an early crash ended his sprint race at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello. The KTM rider believed he had the pace to challenge at the front, but a mistake within the initial laps resulted in another DNF in a season filled with inconsistent results. This incident was particularly disappointing given his confidence in the bike’s performance and tyre strategy.
Details Behind the Crash and Tyre Decisions
Acosta revealed he opted for a hard front tyre after experiencing difficulties with the medium compound in previous efforts. He reflected on the challenging nature of the race start, mentioning some contact with Maverick Viñales and a collision with Enea Bastianini early on. Despite these setbacks, he felt the pace was competitive, especially considering Viñales’ later performance in the race.
“A shame, because I still think we made the right tyre choice. The start had gone really well, although I felt a bit dizzy after the touch with Maverick. Then I got hit by Bastianini too, but it was very early and I think we had a really good pace, seeing how Maverick’s race went,”
Acosta said.
He balanced his tyre choice explanation carefully:
“I had the hard front tyre. Maybe if I had fitted the medium I wouldn’t have crashed, but I probably wouldn’t have overtaken anyone either. I already had problems with the medium in the sprint, so I still think the hard tyre was the right choice.”
Acosta’s View on Race Potential Despite Setback
Reflecting on what might have been, Acosta expressed confidence in his potential to finish strongly had the race continued. He believed he could have contested for positions just behind the leaders, including Francesco Bagnaia and Viñales. His goal was to secure a spot within the top five, making the premature exit a significant disappointment.
“I think it could have been a good race, seeing how Maverick’s went. At the start we had a bit more than him, maybe not later. But I think we could have been with Pecco, with Maverick… between third, fourth or fifth. That was the goal, so it’s a shame it ended so early,”
Acosta stated.
Implications for Acosta’s Season and Future Races
The crash at Mugello adds to the challenges facing Pedro Acosta this season, which has seen fluctuating results and moments of promise disrupted by incidents. His regret highlights the fine margins in tyre choice and race starts in MotoGP sprint events. With the season progressing, Acosta will be eager to convert competitive pace into consistent finishes and demonstrate his ability to contend among the sport’s top riders.
