Italian manager believes bike performance may hold back rising star despite strong start
Pedro Acosta arrives at the Brazilian Grand Prix as the MotoGP championship leader, but doubts are already emerging over whether he can sustain a title challenge.
The 21-year-old has impressed early in the 2026 season, claiming a Sprint race win in Thailand and following it up with a second-place finish on Sunday. However, Carlo Pernat believes external factors — rather than Acosta’s ability — could ultimately define his season.
Pernat: KTM bike may be holding Acosta back
Despite Acosta’s strong performances, Pernat questioned whether KTM’s RC16 has the consistency to compete with the leading manufacturers across a full campaign.
Looking at the broader results in Thailand, the concern becomes clearer. Brad Binder finished seventh, Enea Bastianini was 12th, and Maverick Viñales ended down in 16th — suggesting Acosta may be outperforming the bike relative to the field.
Speaking to MOW, Pernat highlighted the imbalance: “We have a unique phenomenon in Marc Marquez, a rider in great form in Marco Bezzecchi, and a huge talent in Pedro Acosta who is unfortunately a bit hampered by his bike.”
He added that while Acosta is capable of producing exceptional performances, sustaining that level may prove difficult. “He can work miracles, but he’s limited by the bike he has. The question is how often he can keep doing that.”
Future Ducati move could reshape Acosta vs Marquez battle
If KTM cannot provide a title-winning package, Acosta’s long-term outlook could still shift dramatically.
Reports suggest the Spaniard could join Ducati in 2027 alongside Marc Marquez — a pairing that many expect would redefine the competitive landscape in MotoGP.
With both riders potentially on equal machinery, Acosta could emerge as a genuine threat to Marquez’s dominance. Some former riders have even speculated that such a scenario could create internal tension within the team.
There is already growing belief that Acosta represents the future of the sport, while Marquez remains its benchmark. If they do become teammates on a Desmosedici, it could mark a pivotal moment — not just for the championship battle, but for the direction of MotoGP itself.
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