Pedro Acosta\u2019s early 2026 MotoGP form has been fuelled by a combination of improved machinery and a more measured approach, according to KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer.<\/p>\n
In contrast to a year ago, when Acosta <\/a>became frustrated by the RC16\u2019s lack of early performance, he has returned with not only a more capable machine but a very different mindset.<\/p>\n Performance gains have helped the young Spaniard to take a debut Sprint win alongside two grand prix podiums, while a new \u2018get what you can\u2019 approach on more difficult days has helped carry him to third in the world championship.<\/p>\n \u201cPedro has matured incredibly,\u201d Pit Beirer told Speedweek.com. \u201cHe knows that we might not always have the best bike.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019s now accepted that you only finish in the top three of the World Championship if you consistently get the maximum out of it – because nobody has the best bike at every Grand Prix.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Beirer explained that last year\u2019s campaign provided a clear lesson.<\/p>\n Acosta suffered six non-scores and was without a podium during the first half of last season, then stood on the rostrum twelve times, taking him all the way to fourth in the final standings.<\/p>\n But more was possible, if he had pocketed whatever points were on offer during the difficult rounds rather than push over the limit.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year, driven by our company [financial] disaster, he was very negative. He realised at the first race that he wasn\u2019t good enough to win. For him, it was either win or nothing – there was no middle ground,\u201d Beirer said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the [post] season analysis clearly showed that if he had taken advantage of the good fourth, fifth, or sixth-place finishes, where he occasionally crashed because he wanted to win, he would have finished third in the World Championship last year.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cThat was his takeaway: \u2018I have to take the points, and my races will come \u2013 my tracks will come!\u2019 You simply have to be there for the points, otherwise all the performance is useless. He\u2019s matured incredibly during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n