Acosta weighs in on Martin/Aprilia saga, KTM prospects and Vinales regrets

Pedro Acosta has refused to take sides in the ongoing conflict between Aprilia and Jorge Martin, with the reigning MotoGP world champion intending to leave his new team at the end of the season.

Acosta and Martin have the same agent, the now well-known Albert Valera. Still, the KTM rider is unwilling to get involved in his peer’s situation, careful not to get himself into trouble.

“Until Jorge and Albert speak, nobody will know the truth. These are their decisions and their problems – I have nothing to do with it. I’m not really up to speed on it,” he said, attempting to steer away from the topic.

Acosta is also involved in rumours regarding a potential early departure from KTM given the Austrian constructor’s current struggles on track, with VR46 a possible destination.

“Right now, I’ve got my own internal issues,” he admitted. “I’ve got another year on my KTM contract.

“Since the Qatar Grand Prix, we’ve been raising our level or getting closer to where we want to be. These aren’t the results we wanted to be fighting for this year, but we have to keep working and pushing.

“Results are coming, more or less. The Le Mans sprint was good, we were close to the podium group, and we need to keep pushing until the Aragon test, where there will be updates.”

Meanwhile, the latest developments suggest KTM’s financial issues are being resolved, which could appease its riders.

“We don’t think too much about that,” Acosta said. “A lot of things are written, but nothing’s for sure. As long as it doesn’t affect racing, we can be content. I can’t say much more.”

Acosta was also asked about Maverick Viñales’ surprising comments, admitting he regretted leaving Yamaha mid-season to join Aprilia in 2021.

“When things are already done, it’s easier to say, ‘I would’ve done this or that.’ But the decisions we make shape who we are. You can’t regret those choices. Things haven’t gone that badly for Maverick,” Acosta noted.

Pecco Bagnaia also stated that “contracts are meant to be fulfilled”, likely referring to his own deal with Ducati more than Martin’s situation.

“I highly doubt the contract of a guy who’s won two world championships – and one in Moto2 – is at risk,” Acosta insisted.

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

“I’ve read some real nonsense this week. You can’t fire a kid who’s won you a championship after so long without one, who’s carried the number one plate for two straight seasons defending the title, just because the first six races of the year haven’t gone as well as he’d hoped.

“I’d love to have the kind of six races Pecco has had this year,” he wished, before adding: “Even the best marriages break up.”