On the last day of MotoGP 2025, which also marked the start of 2026, Pedro Acosta had a rigorous testing session focused on aerodynamics. At Valencia, KTM tested two different fairings: the one from the 2025 season and a new design inspired by Ducati’s models from 2023 and 2024.
The new fairing incorporated a prominent downwash duct at the front, a rounded rear section, small sidepod wings, and the front wing introduced by KTM mid-season. Acosta acknowledged that understanding the impact of these aerodynamic changes will require time and data analysis.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in aerodynamics,” the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider explained after the test. Rain the previous night left the track damp, delaying the start and limiting the morning session.
He added, “It’s not a straightforward black-and-white situation. Sometimes I felt really good with the changes, but the team now has to carefully review all the data.” Overall, Acosta was pleased with the day’s work, saying that while KTM has clear strengths and weaknesses, the new aero parts could help make the bike more balanced.
“I think the team did well,” he said. “Now, the factory needs to see if our feedback aligns with the data collected. Regardless, progress was made.” Due to the lack of morning running, executing the full test plan was challenging.
“There was more to try, but the morning was quite confusing without track time,” Acosta noted. “We decided to focus on what was most important: aerodynamics. I could have spent the entire day doing continuous standard testing,” he said.
By the end, Acosta posted the fifth-fastest time, just 0.039 seconds ahead of KTM in second place and Maverick Vinales in sixth.
Fan Take: This intense focus on aerodynamics highlights how teams are pushing the boundaries of bike performance in MotoGP’s ever-evolving landscape. For racing fans, Acosta’s test signals exciting developments ahead that could shake up the grid and introduce fresh competition.
