Pedro Acosta on KTM Split: "I Have No More Time to Waste!"

Pedro Acosta has announced his departure from KTM to join Ducati, citing that he feels he has "no more time to waste" in his pursuit of a MotoGP title-winning machine.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a long and successful association with KTM since joining the manufacturer's ranks in late 2020, immediately after winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

He rapidly ascended through the Grand Prix ranks with the Austrian brand's backing, consecutively clinching the Moto3 and Moto2 titles before making his MotoGP debut in 2024 with the Tech3 team.

Although Acosta finished an impressive fourth in the standings last year after moving to the factory KTM team, he has signed a new deal with Ducati to become Marc Marquez's teammate at the start of MotoGP's new 850cc era in 2027.

Despite maintaining good relations with KTM management in Mattighofen, the 22-year-old rider stated he had to seize the opportunity that arose. He insisted he couldn't afford to wait any longer for KTM to develop a motorcycle capable of beating frontrunners Ducati and Aprilia.

While the RC16 model has significantly improved since Acosta moved to MotoGP, with key advancements in areas like tire wear, it still lags behind the Ducati GP26 and Aprilia RS-GP in both single-lap pace and race trim.

Consequently, despite Acosta establishing himself as one of the most consistent riders on the grid, he has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory. The KTM team itself hasn't won a Sunday race, in either dry or wet conditions, since Miguel Oliveira's triumph at the rain-soaked Thai Grand Prix in 2022.

On the other hand, Ducati has won the riders' championship for the past four consecutive years, although their dominance this year is being seriously challenged by Aprilia.