In his first MotoGP race, KTM rookie Pedro Acosta certainly lived up to expectations. He delivered an impressive performance, finishing among the top eight in the Qatar Grand Prix. As the current Moto2 world champion, Acosta is already hungry for more success and undoubtedly will be aiming to overtake the factory bikes ahead of him in the near future.
It’s no surprise considering his impressive pace during testing and his strong performance on the first day of practice at the Lusail circuit. Despite a rearranged schedule that forced him to secure a spot in Q2 just minutes before qualifying, Acosta’s performance was even more impressive. He handled the stress of the day with composure and managed to secure eighth place, just behind Brad Binder from the factory team.
Acosta expressed his satisfaction with his race, stating that he enjoyed watching the battle ahead of him and felt motivated to close the gap. He finished just 4.5 seconds behind the winner, Binder, which is a notable achievement. Acosta’s debut was in stark contrast to that of his teammate Jack Miller, who dropped from sixth to tenth place. Acosta’s strong start did not go unnoticed by his MotoGP rivals, who recognize his potential for success.
Johann Zarco, LCR Honda rider, believes Acosta will be one of the main contenders. He acknowledges the challenges of the new weekend schedule, with the sprint race on Saturday, but still believes Acosta will perform well. Zarco admits that Acosta may need some time to adjust to the different schedule, but he is impressed with his ability to handle pressure. He predicts that Acosta will pose a threat to Binder and hopes he disrupts the standings.
Although it was expected that Acosta would target Miller, who has an expiring contract, it seems that even Binder, who is contractually tied until 2026, will have to work hard to keep Acosta at bay. Acosta’s talent and determination make him a force to be reckoned with in MotoGP.
