Pedro Acosta is “curious” to see how MotoGP’s smaller 2027 machines will perform, while insisting that straight-line speed is not the main safety concern.
The reduction in engine capacity from 1000 to 850cc is expected to trim top speeds but comes with a corresponding drop in minimum machine weight, from 157kg to 153kg.
That could result in higher corner speeds, although the impact of reduced aerodynamics, switch to Pirelli tyres, and removal of ride-height devices is still unclear.
“I think what is dangerous at the moment is not that we go 360 km/h in the straight,” Acosta said at COTA, when asked about the upcoming 850cc machines.
“The problem is we are much faster in the corners than last year, and than years ago. And that’s what makes the sport dangerous.
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“…I don’t know how it will be [next season]. Also, with no rear devices next year. I’m curious about this.”
Pedro Acosta, 2026 US MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
But Acosta is already clear about the consequences a record calendar and revised weekend format will have on the length of racing careers.
After reaching 19 rounds just before the Covid-era, MotoGP saw its first 20-round calendar in 2022, rising to 22-rounds in 2025.
Significantly, half-distance Sprint races were also added to the Saturday of each race weekend from 2023, meaning 44 races per season.
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While describing fewer rounds as “a good idea”, the Red Bull KTM star explained that the intensity of each event is a more significant issue.
“[What] I feel is bad about the calendar is now the careers of the riders will be shorter,” he said.
“Because there’s no way to stay 22 weekends with an important session every day – like PR [Friday], Qualifying and the Sprint [Saturday], and then the main race [Sunday].
“There’s no time in the weekend to say ‘OK, I will go out on track, I will take my pace, step by step, I will just ride’, let’s say. Every day you have an important session, 22 [weekends] per year.
“This will make everything shorter. Because the level of stress that we will support will reach a limit.
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“I think Sprint races are a good idea, I think shorter qualifying and [Friday practice] is a good idea, but if we want to maintain during a long career, you cannot risk every day.
“Because when the risk is higher, the percentage of how hurt you can get is higher also. It’s the only thing that I see at the moment. Not [just] the number of races.”
Acosta, who won his first MotoGP Sprint race at the Thai season opener, returned to Europe holding third in the world championship, behind only the factory Aprilias of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin.
Although yet to be officially confirmed, Acosta is set to partner Marc Marquez at the factory Ducati team in 2027.
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