Marc Marquez Sees Pedro Acosta as Legitimate MotoGP Title Contender

Marc Marquez is now acknowledging Pedro Acosta as a serious threat in the 2026 MotoGP championship battle, following the young rider’s first premier-class victory at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star claimed a commanding win from third on the grid, becoming the sole rider to outpace both Aprilia and Ducati machinery in a Sunday outing this season.

That breakthrough result lifted the 22-year-old to fourth in the standings, though he still trails championship leader Jorge Martin by 72 points with seven rounds left to contest.

Since the mid-season break, Martin, Marquez, and Marco Bezzecchi had appeared to be pulling clear of the rest of the pack, raising the prospect of a title showdown confined to that trio.

However, with Acosta demonstrating he can now compete for race wins on a machine that has closed its power gap, Marquez believes his future Ducati team-mate has the credentials to challenge for the crown.

“The top four are ready to fight for the championship,” the Ducati rider said. “Since KTM reopened the engines after Silverstone and have regained strong power, they are now in position to fight for the title.”

Marquez suggested Acosta could follow up his Austrian triumph with victory at next month’s Japanese Grand Prix, citing the encouraging pace the KTM rider has shown across his previous two visits to Motegi in the premier class.

Acosta claimed his maiden pole in Japan during his rookie season, though he infamously relinquished his chances in both outings, stating at the time that he would rather crash than hand first position to a Ducati.

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

“After this Grand Prix, Pedro is once again the favourite for Motegi,” said Marquez. “Every year, he has been very, very fast there.

“He was already quick in his first year. He crashed while leading the sprint race, and then in the main race, he crashed while battling for second and the win. Last year, he was very fast as well.

“It’s going to be tight among the top four over the remaining seven races.”

Martin on Acosta’s Chances

Championship leader Jorge Martin also recognises Acosta as a potential title rival, provided he can sustain his current form through the upcoming flyaway races in Asia.

When asked about his own title ambitions, the Aprilia rider said: “I think leadership comes and goes; I don’t really focus on it.

“It’s a big fight. If Pedro keeps winning like he did this weekend with that level of dominance, I think even he is in contention, so the Asian tour will certainly be fascinating.

“We’ll try to match the pace I showed here, because if I have the speed, I’ll fight. But there are certainly races where we struggle and end up toward the back. That’s part of the game, but I feel strong and feel we can maintain a strong level for the rest of the season.”

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