MotoGP newcomer Pedro Acosta perceives the Spanish Grand Prix as a “reality check” for KTM, suggesting that the team approached Jerez with “excessive expectations.”
The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez marked one of KTM’s standout weekends in the 2023 season, with Brad Binder securing victory in the sprint race and claiming second place in the main event, ahead of teammate Jack Miller.
With Tech3 GasGas rookie Acosta entering the 2024 Jerez round following consecutive podium finishes, expectations were high for him and the KTM team.
However, the best result achieved by a KTM rider in the grand prix was sixth, courtesy of Binder, while Acosta finished in 10th position. Reflecting on the Spanish GP, Acosta remarked that the team arrived at Jerez with overly optimistic expectations and emphasized the need to recalibrate their outlook moving forward.
“In general, regarding the brand rather than just myself, I believe we approached this event with overly high expectations,” he explained. “It’s important to recognize that while we strive to improve, other manufacturers are also making progress.
I think it’s beneficial for us to temper our expectations this year, particularly in races where we performed well last season.
We need to approach them with a more balanced perspective. We all arrived with too many lofty expectations.”
Pressed about people’s expectations of him, the 19-year-old expressed indifference, stating, “I don’t pay attention to external expectations.
I’ve long disregarded outside noise, including remarks from individuals like [Jorge] Lorenzo, who undoubtedly have expertise in motorcycles. But on the track, nobody can predict what will happen until the checkered flag falls.
You can lead for the entirety of a race and still lose in the final corner. Therefore, predictions hold little significance to me.”
Acosta continued, addressing the brand’s expectations, noting that last year’s exceptional results at the Spanish Grand Prix set unrealistically high hopes for KTM.
He emphasized the importance of this reality check for the brand, suggesting it would ground them for upcoming races like Misano, where KTM performed well last year.
“Despite the challenging weekend for the KTM brand, I currently hold fourth place in the championship, trailing leader Jorge Martin by only 23 points,” Acosta concluded.
