Pedro Acosta acknowledged that KTM “didn’t make significant improvements” throughout the 2025 MotoGP season, and the real progress came “once we stopped chasing the dream of the championship.” After his outstanding rookie year in 2024, expectations were high for him and KTM to contend for race victories and potentially the world title in 2025.
However, Acosta only managed to secure his first podium in the latter half of the season, and the 21-year-old never clinched a win, which was a decent way to close the year. The 2025 KTM bike struggled notably with tire degradation and had poor performance in braking zones, leading to Acosta’s frustration, especially when the bike overheated during races.
Reflecting on the season, Acosta said the minor updates to the bike after the summer break didn’t significantly enhance the RC16’s performance; rather, his improved results came from a shift in mindset.
He shared in Valencia, “Honestly, the bike didn’t improve much because we didn’t make many changes. The fairing helped, and the swingarm a little, but we still faced serious issues with tire wear and lacked competitiveness in the early parts of races due to grip problems. When I stopped focusing on winning the championship, I started pushing myself to get the most out of what the bike could offer.”
He continued, “Some races I finished in the top five, other times I struggled, and occasionally I could fight for podium spots in sprint races. Mentally, I think I grew the most. The bike felt somewhat better, but mechanically, it didn’t change much. I had arm pump surgery post-Jerez testing, so maybe that made a difference, but the bike itself didn’t really evolve.”
“The early season was unforgettable in how much we struggled without clear reasons. After reassessing our goals and focusing on consistency to become better riders, we found something special. We had fluctuations post-summer, but stayed consistently in the top five and earned more podiums. In that sense, we have to be somewhat satisfied, though it’s true we fell short compared to the much-enhanced Aprilia, while Ducati remains the dominant team.”
Fan Take: This honest reflection from Acosta highlights the grit required to adapt when machinery lags, a crucial lesson for rising talents in MotoGP. For fans, it signals that raw speed isn’t everything—mental strength and consistency are just as vital in shaping champions and thrilling seasons ahead.
