Pedro Acosta’s decision to join Ducati for the 2027 MotoGP season was driven by a desire to defeat Marc Márquez on identical machinery rather than financial incentives, according to his current employer, KTM.
The Spaniard will replace three-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia at the factory Ducati squad, creating a formidable lineup alongside the reigning champion Márquez. The move ends Acosta’s long-standing relationship with KTM, which nurtured him from his early career through to his premier-class debut.
Losing their young star represents a significant blow for the Austrian manufacturer, which has grown increasingly reliant on Acosta’s performances in MotoGP. However, KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister admitted there was little the company could do to retain the rider for the upcoming 850cc regulation era.
“I am really very sorry [that he is leaving] and I tried [to keep him]. It is not a secret that I tried personally to convince him to stay but it was very [tough],” Neumeister said.
“I still have goosebumps because he told me, ‘please, Gottfried, it is not about a million more or less’. We have seen riders who are sitting on the base package at the beginning of the season, and just signing with other guys for money.
“This, for me, is not racing spirit. He simply said in Spanish, ‘even if you have a better bike with the 850cc and I am winning on this one, I want to beat Marc with the same weapon’.
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
“Then, you are disarmed, you are dismantled, and this is such a great encouragement and I will always have the best feelings when I see him and we will fight up until the very last day.”
Neumeister left the door open for a future reunion, drawing a parallel to Honda’s open stance regarding Márquez’s potential return.
“I have always said you always meet twice in life and he is really doing the best for the team,” he added.
When asked about KTM’s revelation that Acosta wants to beat him on equal machinery, nine-time world champion Márquez downplayed the narrative, citing the different stages of their careers.
“No, it’s not my battle right now. I’m already in another position in my career,” he said.
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