KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer admitted in a Crash.net interview that losing Pedro Acosta to Ducati from 2027 was “hard to swallow” for the Austrian team. Beirer said KTM had built its long-term MotoGP project around Acosta but acknowledged that the team’s current performance had not convinced the rider to commit beyond his existing contract through 2026.
The Austrian manufacturer had viewed Acosta as a cornerstone rider for its future success, making his decision to join Ducati from 2027 a major setback for KTM’s strategic plans, according to the motorsport director’s comments in the Crash.net interview.
Beirer said KTM’s long-term MotoGP project had been built around Acosta since his early career in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, through Moto3 and Moto2, and then into MotoGP with the Tech3 and factory KTM teams.
Acosta signed a multi-year contract with KTM that included his promotion to the factory MotoGP team for the 2025 season, following his rookie campaign with the Tech3 GASGAS team in 2024. As of early 2025 and 2026 reports, Acosta remained under contract through the end of 2026, with his options beyond that period still open amid uncertainty linked to the new technical regulations coming into effect in 2027. Beirer told GPOne and Speedweek in January 2026 that no final decision had been made and that KTM was awaiting the rider’s assessment of the 2026 bike before any extension talks could conclude.
Despite KTM’s efforts, Beirer acknowledged that the team had not yet demonstrated sufficient on-track progress to fully convince Acosta to commit beyond his current contract. He said the rider had gained confidence from the previous season’s developments but was still anticipating further improvements in the bike’s competitiveness. Beirer emphasized that tangible proof of KTM’s ability to compete for wins and championships was necessary to secure Acosta’s long-term loyalty, rather than relying on past support or contractual obligations.
In earlier remarks, Beirer had expressed confidence in retaining Acosta, citing the existing contract and KTM’s long-term investment in the rider since his Rookies Cup days. He described rumors of Acosta’s potential departure as a “compliment” to KTM’s talent development and reiterated that the team had a “very good offer on the table” to keep him. However, as Ducati’s interest intensified and the 2027 regulatory changes approached, Beirer’s tone shifted toward a more sober recognition of the challenges in persuading Acosta to stay.
Ducati’s pursuit of Acosta was widely reported in the paddock, with sources confirming the Italian manufacturer’s strong interest in signing the Spanish rider as a factory team member from 2027. Reports suggested Acosta was viewed as a potential successor to Francesco Bagnaia, who had struggled in recent seasons. Beirer acknowledged this external interest as validation of Acosta’s high standing but also as a factor KTM had to contend with by delivering a convincing technical roadmap for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
KTM’s motorsport director said the team “never planned” a MotoGP future without Acosta, highlighting the scale of the loss represented by his departure. Nonetheless, Beirer stressed that “life goes on” and that KTM was prepared to open “another door” by developing other talents or making alternative signings. He assured that KTM would not find itself without top riders even if Acosta left, pointing to the team’s depth of talent and ongoing efforts to remain competitive.
Beirer linked the risk of losing Acosta directly to KTM’s current competitive level and development speed, accepting responsibility for the team’s inability to fully convince the rider to extend his contract. He framed the situation as part of racing realities, noting that a rider of Acosta’s caliber naturally evaluates all options based on performance outlooks. KTM’s focus remained on delivering a strong 2026 bike to provide the evidence Acosta needed to stay, with the team putting “a huge effort” into the development program.
The 2027 technical regulation changes have become a pivotal factor in contract negotiations, as manufacturers seek to position themselves advantageously for the new era. Beirer recognized that Acosta and other top riders closely analyze which teams are best placed to succeed under the new rules. This context helped explain Acosta’s decision to join Ducati, whose established MotoGP dominance and perceived future strength aligned with the rider’s ambitions.
KTM’s internal strategy now involves adjusting its rider lineup and continuing to build competitive machinery without relying solely on a single franchise rider. Beirer’s remarks to Crash.net and other outlets reflect an acceptance that the team must respond to Acosta’s departure by accelerating technical progress and nurturing alternative prospects to sustain its presence at the front of the MotoGP grid.
