Pedro Acosta has been strongly linked with a move to the Ducati stable and VR46. But that rumour has now gone rather cold.

Acosta’s KTM contract is watertight, which means he’s locked into the Austrian manufacturer until the end of 2026. He looks set to be one of the most coveted riders in next year’s market.

However, Uccio Salucci fears that Acosta could reject VR46 on the basis that he wants a factory ride. Links to the Ducati factory team, and a possible partnership with Marc Marquez, are inevitable.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Acosta confirmed that he’d held talks with Valentino Rossi’s team this year. However, he was only receptive to their approach out of ‘respect’ and says he never intended to leave KTM early.

Pedro Acosta says he could achieve ‘difficult’ feat of beating Marc Marquez

Also in that interview, Acosta was asked whether it’s ‘possible’ to beat Marquez at Ducati. His confidence level could be key in determining his future.

Marquez has outscored all the other Ducati riders by 120 points, winning almost 80% of the races this year. Acosta isn’t surprised by this outcome given the strength of the combination.

Even two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia has no answer for Marquez. But Acosta hinted that he could accomplish the ‘difficult’ feat of challenging his fellow Spaniard.

CATEGORYVOL.Championships2Races87Wins16Poles6Podiums33Pedro Acosta’s Grand Prix career in numbers

“In the end, they have brought together one of the best riders in history with the best bike around at the moment. It’s as clear as day.

“So it’s obvious that Marc is at a very high level, Ducati is at a very high level, and it’s clear that even the guys riding the same bike are struggling to beat him. But, anyway, I think that even difficult things can be done.”

Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo admits Marquez may be too fast for him in wet or changeable conditions. But he thinks it would be much closer in the dry.

The clear sign that Dorna want Pedro Acosta to be the next face of MotoGP

Ducati are already ‘pampering’ Fermin Aldeguer, Acosta’s longtime rival. They may prefer to promote their own young talent rather than acquire the Shark of Mazarron.

Indeed, Luigi Dall’Igna and co. believe that Aldeguer is in the same bracket as Acosta. He perhaps hasn’t shown the same consistency in his rookie season, but there have been numerous exciting flashes.

The consensus remains that Acosta will be the next face of MotoGP when Marquez eventually retires. Dorna have already prepared him for stardom.

They effectively ‘forced’ the youngster to conduct English lessons, albeit out of their own pocket. Liberty Media are likely to step up the marketing drive surrounding the 21-year-old.