Pedro Acosta highlighted that KTM is still facing tyre difficulties with its MotoGP bike, despite improvements seen in the opening race of the 2026 season. The Austrian manufacturer has long struggled with rear tyre vibration since Michelin introduced a new rear tyre in 2024 designed for higher grip and longer durability. However, the extended tyre life came with its own problems, which worsened through 2025.
In the season opener, Acosta managed to secure second place after overtaking Trackhouse Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez late in the race, indicating some progress on the rear tyre issues, though not a complete fix. The improved tyre consistency allowed KTM to better manage races, but Acosta still pointed to lingering challenges when extracting optimal performance from a fresh rear tyre.
Acosta Discusses Remaining Performance Limitations
Acosta linked his sixth-place qualifying result to KTM’s ongoing tyre concerns, which have affected the RC16 motorcycle from the outset of the project, not only since the tyre construction changes in 2024. He emphasized the difficulty of setting fast laps early in both qualifying and races, which hampers his ability to run in a ‘time attack mode’.
“We know that even myself I’m struggling to make a fast lap,”
Acosta said.
“Also in the first laps of the race I’m not super-fast, let’s say, or I’m not in a ‘time attack mode’.”
He added that Aprilia and Ducati still have a significant edge in early-race pace, especially during qualifying and initial race laps, making it harder for KTM to compete directly.
“It’s true that we are not so bad like last year in time attacks also, but still a way to go.”
Close Racing and Intense Battles in Thailand
Acosta celebrated his first MotoGP Sprint win on Saturday in Thailand, after a heated duel with Marc Marquez, which concluded amid some controversy due to a penalty against Marquez. The next day, he engaged in fierce competition again, battling early with Marquez and later with Jorge Martin. Acosta emerged victorious from both encounters, showcasing his growing racecraft and confidence.
“Super-great battle with Marc [Marquez] yesterday and super-great battle today with Jorge [Martin],”
Acosta remarked.
He expressed strong satisfaction in participating in such competitive races, even when not leading, describing the experience as highly enjoyable and lauding the clean nature of the battles.
Acosta explained his race strategy, detailing moments when he decided to conserve fuel and save energy before launching a final push to catch Raul Fernandez in the closing laps.
“We are working quite okay in the box, maintaining the calm, this is making things much easier.”
Impact on Championship Standings and Future Outlook
Thanks to his consistent results in Thailand, including the Sprint win and a strong main race finish, Pedro Acosta currently leads the MotoGP championship by seven points over Sunday’s race winner Marco Bezzecchi. Bezzecchi holds a slim two-point advantage over Raul Fernandez, who secured two third-place finishes on the weekend.
Acosta’s comments spotlight the ongoing quest for KTM to resolve fundamental tyre performance issues that have hampered the RC16’s qualifying speed and early race pace since the start of the season. Progress in handling these challenges is critical if KTM and Acosta are to compete more consistently at the front, especially on European and Brazilian circuits coming up.
As the season continues, the ability to better manage tyre performance, extract quicker laps early on, and maintain stability under aggressive conditions will remain vital for KTM’s competitiveness and Acosta’s championship aspirations.
