The 2024 MotoGP season has been defined by the rise of GasGas rookie Pedro Acosta. While his previous titles in Moto2 and Moto3 signaled he was a talent to watch, he has exceeded all expectations by becoming the top-performing KTM RC16 rider, often leaving experienced teammates like Brad Binder and Jack Miller in his wake.
Acosta, now 20, views the Red Bull Rookies Cup—which he won in 2020—as the foundation of his current success. His journey mirrors the themes of 'Born Racers,' a new six-part documentary by Eurosport India that explores the ambitions of young riders in the development series. During the Thai GP, we spoke with Acosta about the pivotal role the Rookies Cup played in his ascent and how he is adapting his mindset to the pressures of MotoGP.
\"I'm confident in my braking ability, but I'm still searching for more fluidity in the corners,\" Acosta explained. \"That's where I've struggled most at tracks like Silverstone and Assen. However, it's a work in progress; my team and the experts around me are guiding me on how to fix this, and we're seeing steady improvement.\"
\"We're hopeful,\" the Spanish rider added. \"There are certain circuits that naturally suit our bike, like Buriram or the venue in Malaysia where we conducted winter testing. Even Valencia looked promising last year, as we saw Brad Binder and Jack Miller perform very competitively there.\"
When asked about his strategy, Acosta believes consistency is key. He pointed to his performance in Japan, where they nearly secured a win, as the blueprint for future success. Regarding the fight against Ducati, he insisted that playing it safe isn't an option. To bridge the gap and actually compete for wins, he believes they must take calculated risks and constantly dance on the edge of the limit.
Acosta noted that while their braking is a clear advantage, their qualifying pace needs a boost. He emphasized that since Practice and Q2 now dictate so much of the race weekend in MotoGP, starting further up the grid is essential if they want to consistently fight for the top step of the podium.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Acosta credited the Rookies Cup as the catalyst for his entire career. Coming from a family that couldn't afford the steep costs of racing, the program provided an accessible path and a level playing field for all participants. He noted that succeeding in the Rookies Cup is a golden ticket, as it secures the vital backing of both KTM and Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Jorge Martin opted for a special helmet featuring Lord Ganesha for the Thai GP, where he took second place behind Francesco Bagnaia. The 26-year-old Spaniard believes the spiritual tribute—matching a tattoo on his shoulder—will bring him good fortune as he heads into the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia.
The Thai GP ended with Martin recovering to take second and Acosta claiming an impressive third. This result keeps Martin at the top of the standings, leading Bagnaia by 17 points heading into the Malaysian round scheduled for November 1-3.