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Poor Qualifying Results for Pedro Acosta at Jerez
During the recent events at Jerez, KTM rider Pedro Acosta found himself in a challenging position, finishing last in his qualifying session—Q2. This underwhelming performance resulted in him starting from the 12th spot on the grid, eliminating any hopes of contending for a podium finish.
Despite his disappointing qualifying results, Acosta remained optimistic following a solid performance on Friday, where he secured a top 10 finish that guaranteed him a direct entry into Q2. However, the dynamics shifted on Saturday as he struggled to achieve a competitive lap time, landing him on the fourth row of the grid.
In the subsequent sprint race for the Spanish Grand Prix, Acosta concluded the race in 10th place, finishing 12.6 seconds behind the winner, which translates to more than a second per lap slower.
Reflecting on his performance, Acosta expressed his mixed feelings: “I hoped for more, but we have to continue working and learning. There are many aspects we still need to tackle. I can’t quite grasp how the situation altered so drastically between qualifying, where I felt relatively confident, and the Sprint, especially as the temperature rose and the track conditions changed.”
One highlight for Acosta was seeing his fellow rider Maverick Viñales achieve consistency, finishing 7th as the highest-ranked rider not riding a Ducati. Acosta noted, “If anyone can extract performance from our bike, it’s a positive indication. Maverick’s issues mirror ours closely. He has extensive experience across several brands, including the Suzuki, Yamaha, and Aprilia, and his insights carry substantial weight. It’s reassuring to see him performing well.”
Looking ahead to the race, Acosta remarked, “Tomorrow’s race will be filled with surprises. I’m hopeful the medium compound tire will help minimize vibrations, similar to the experience in Qatar. However, tire degradation will likely pose challenges for all riders given the long race distance.”
A Month of Change and Anticipation
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: KTM Images
In the fast-paced world of MotoGP, a month can bring significant changes. Just prior to this, Acosta referred to the upcoming test on Monday in Jerez as “the most important day of the year.” It remains uncertain whether he maintains that sentiment.
“I can’t predict what Monday will unveil; it’s undoubtedly a crucial day. However, it’s important to also consider that we have two races on the horizon, in addition to a key test at Aragón scheduled for June 9th,” Acosta added. “The upcoming test is significant, but first, we need to focus on the race this Sunday.”
At just 20 years old, Acosta is already in his fifth year on the World Championship circuit and his second in MotoGP. He candidly described his current struggles as the most challenging period of his racing career. “This is the most frustrating time not just in my tenure in the World Championship, but in my life. It’s tough to feel restricted, as if my hands are tied. Yet, we must persist. Seeing Maverick achieve strong finishes is motivating. We need to learn from that,” he stated.
Last season, Acosta was a key benchmark for his team, but the current climate appears more uncertain. “I’m less concerned about who the reference point is within KTM as long as we have a functioning bike,” he remarked. “The true frustration arises when you arrive at a track with specific goals, but for various reasons, they remain unattainable, leading to a sense of confusion when there’s no clear path forward.”
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