KTM crew chief says Pedro Acosta’s ceiling remains frighteningly high after maiden MotoGP victory

Pedro Acosta’s KTM crew chief Paul Trevathan believes the young rider still has significant room for improvement following his first MotoGP win on Sunday, though he hesitates when asked to define just how much potential lies untapped.

The victory at Spielberg marked an emotional milestone for both Trevathan and Acosta, with the New Zealander describing the Portuguese rider as a father figure in the aftermath of the triumph.

The pair have worked together since Acosta transitioned to the factory team in 2025, weathering a difficult start to the European season last year, Acosta’s attempted departure from the team, and KTM’s financial instability.

Navigating those challenges likely influenced Trevathan’s emotional response during the post-race podium interviews.

When pressed about Acosta’s capacity for growth following his breakthrough victory, Trevathan expressed that the question genuinely concerned him.

“It’s a scary question,” Trevathan responded, drawing on his experience with riders like Miguel Oliveira, Mika Kallio, and Pol Espargaro. “Because right now, I couldn’t give you a definitive answer.”

“The way he’s learning, the way he’s adapting—it’s remarkable. He took a month off during the summer break and returned at an entirely new level. He’s capable of absorbing information that adds something new to his performance.”

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

“I’ve witnessed great riders make similar improvements, but typically over a winter period—not mid-season. For him to reset during the summer break and return with renewed energy and motivation, pushing us to enhance our performance, is truly exceptional.”

“So while I can’t definitively answer your question, I can say this: his trajectory continues upward.”

Beyond the celebration, Acosta had faced setbacks earlier in the weekend, crashing during both Saturday’s sprint race and Sunday morning’s warm-up session.

When questioned about how Acosta recovered from the sprint crash while managing expectations at KTM’s home circuit and knowing opportunities to outperform Ducati and Aprilia are limited, Trevathan continued his praise.

“It’s a fair question, and honestly, very challenging to address. We showed pace throughout the entire weekend—it was evident from his first laps on track.”

“You inevitably wonder afterward: ‘Are we becoming too confident? Were nerves a factor? Does racing at home add pressure?’ These thoughts cross your mind, and they deserve discussion.”

“However, we were able to analyze what happened on Saturday. He was deeply frustrated with himself. At these speeds, minor errors can have major consequences. Fortunately, he’s been cooperative all week.”

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

“He was upset for about an hour after the crash, but it was directed inward. The first thing he told us was: ‘This is on me.’ Yet, champions have a remarkable ability to compartmentalize setback and refocus. This weekend was emotionally charged and demanding.”

“And to make matters worse, he crashed again in the warm-up! But he managed to put that aside too. Still, executing exactly what I asked him to do today—he delivered. I’m incredibly proud of how he rode.”

Acosta’s come-from-behind victory also holds additional significance as it occurred before he concludes his tenure with KTM ahead of his move to Ducati next season, adding a poignant note for Trevathan.

This emotional backdrop is further amplified by the fact that Trevathan’s role as crew chief is also expected to conclude after the 2026 season, with plans for him to transition into a new position within KTM.

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