KTM’s Pedro Acosta believes that Pol Espargaro merits consideration for a full-time MotoGP seat following his wildcard participation in 2025. Espargaro, who currently holds the Moto2 championship and debuted in MotoGP in 2014 with Tech 3 Yamaha, has raced for KTM and Honda over the years. His career faced a setback after a serious crash during the 2023 Portuguese Grand Prix, leading him to miss much of that season. Although he held a contract with Tech3 KTM through 2024, Espargaro shifted to a test rider role with KTM to recover and regain his fitness.
In 2024, Espargaro entered three races, earning points in two, and in 2025, he achieved top-10 finishes in four out of five races he competed in. Near the end of the 2025 season, Acosta praised Espargaro’s contributions as a test rider and suggested he deserves a permanent place in MotoGP. Acosta highlighted Espargaro’s consistent performance, noting that except for a crash in Malaysia, he was always qualifying in Q2 and placing in the top 10 during races. Acosta also valued Espargaro’s aggressive riding style and willingness to assist the factory team, emphasizing the benefits of having an experienced rider like him.
Though Espargaro had considered moving to World Superbike, he will remain KTM’s test rider for the next year.
Fan Take: This development is significant for racing fans as it signals the resurgence of a talented and seasoned rider who can bring depth and experience to the MotoGP grid. Espargaro’s return could intensify competition and inspire other riders recovering from setbacks to push for comebacks, ultimately elevating the sport’s excitement and unpredictability.
