Pedro Acosta was one of the hottest riders on the market earlier in 2025 as rumours circulated that he was looking to leave KTM.
The Austrian manufacturer tied him down to a two-year factory contract in 2024 amid interest from rival teams. Stepping up from Tech3 in 2025, Acosta was looking to better his rookie season, where he scored five podiums and finished sixth in the standings.
However, early signs suggested that he would be in for a frustrating season. The RC16 proved a difficult machine to handle for KTM’s riders, with Acosta crashing numerous times in the opening races.
The manufacturer’s financial crisis did not help matters, with Acosta being despondent about KTM in media debriefs. It led to speculation that the Spaniard could look to break his contract and find a new outfit for 2026.
VR46 were heavily linked with Acosta as Valentino Rossi expressed an interest in the 21-year-old. However, a move will not materialise from 2026, and it comes after a ‘tough’ warning from his agent,
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty ImagesPedro Acosta received a ‘tough’ warning from Albert Valera after going ‘off on a tangent’ about KTM’s situation
Albert Valera previously hinted he would get Acosta out of KTM and ‘appeal’ for an early departure, as he seemed completely frustrated with the situation at the Austrian outfit.
KTM ‘restricted’ Acosta’s contract from having an exit clause, which ultimately denied him moving before 2026. When it became clear a move was off the table, Valera warned Acosta to focus on his riding over things that he could not control.
Journalist Alberto Gomez discussed the talks between Valera and Acosta via Motorsport Espana: “In the end, Valera got tough with him, because Pedro had somehow gone off on a tangent.
“I mean, he thought that he was already the developer of the bike, that everything was going to be great, that he decided the parts.
“He was obsessed more than being focused on riding and getting the most out of that bike. He was just obsessed with things that didn’t concern him right now and especially in a situation where the company had enough behind it to be thinking about.
“The other day, he acknowledged that Albert had been tough on him, that he was already focused on riding and that’s why things are starting to work out for him.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty ImagesWhere will Pedro Acosta end up in MotoGP in 2027?
Acosta has adopted a ‘positive’ attitude since a move away from KTM was ruled out, and it has helped in improving his results. The Spaniard grabbed his first podium of the season at Brno and has back-to-back Sprint podiums in the last two races.
It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will stay at KTM in 2027. The new regulations are set to shake up the pecking order, and several outfits will be monitoring Acosta’s situation, with many teams already preparing ‘pre-deals’.
Rossi and VR46 have told Acosta they could wait to sign him in 2027. However, Uccio Salucci thinks Acosta will reject VR46 and favour a factory team.
There is every chance that KTM could keep him, but the uncertainty surrounding their project may give him reason to jump ship. Acosta must consider joining Honda as Red Bull, his main backers, are looking to end their sponsorship with KTM.