'Defeating Marquez on equal machinery' made the biggest 2027 MotoGP transfer happen
Acosta won his first race and is being called a title contender (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister revealed that Pedro Acosta's desire to defeat Marc Marquez on equal machinery led to his decision to switch to Ducati for the 2027 MotoGP season.
Entering the upcoming MotoGP season, a major regulation change will introduce new 850cc bikes and Pirelli tyres. Next year, Acosta will no longer compete for KTM, the team he rose through the ranks with in the championship, but for Ducati. There, he will replace Francesco Bagnaia.
Speaking to the media at the Austrian Grand Prix, Neumeister explained he tried everything to convince Acosta to stay with the Austrian brand. "I'm really very sorry, and I tried. And it's not a secret. I tried personally to convince him to stay," he was cited by The Race.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
He then revealed Acosta's explanation. "I mean, I still have goosebumps because he told me, 'Listen, Gottfried, it's not about a million more or less'.
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"We have seen riders who are sitting on the best bike at the beginning of the season just signing with others for money. This is, for me, not a racing spirit, yeah?
"And he simply said: 'I'm Spanish. Even if you have a better bike, the 850cc, and I'd be winning on this one, I want to beat Marc with the same weapon.'
Therefore, he concluded: "Then you're disarmed, you're dismantled. And this is such a great encouragement. And I will always have the best feelings when I see him."
Acosta scores first-ever MotoGP Grand Prix victory at the Red Bull Ring
After crashing out of the lead on Saturday, Acosta managed to win a MotoGP Grand Prix for the first time ever a day later. The KTM rider took the lead from Jorge Martin on Lap 9 after Turn 1 and never looked back.
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Acosta had previously finished on the MotoGP podium 15 times without a single victory until last Sunday, and held the record for the most top-three finishes without a race win.
His future teammate, Marc Marquez, finished fifth. The Spaniard is now 12 points behind Jorge Martin in the riders' standings.
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