Acosta: Victory More Valuable Than Fortune

Pedro Acosta, the 21-year-old MotoGP sensation, has declared that winning, not financial gain, is his primary motivator, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset of a young rider navigating the intense pressures of professional racing. In a recent interview, the Spanish racer, currently competing in his second season in the premier class, opened up about his priorities, challenges, and aspirations, revealing a maturity that belies his age.

Acosta’s arrival in MotoGP was met with considerable fanfare, with some drawing comparisons to legendary figures like Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi. Such comparisons, while flattering, also bring immense pressure, particularly when victories have remained elusive. As he approaches the end of his second season, Acosta has yet to secure a win, a fact that he acknowledges has been a source of frustration.

Despite the external pressures and the inherent demands of being a professional athlete, Acosta insists on maintaining a sense of authenticity. He emphasizes the importance of remaining true to himself, even amidst the obligations to sponsors and the broader promotional aspects of the sport.

"I’m more relaxed when I’m on the bike," Acosta stated. "That’s the easy part. You put your helmet on, do your thing, you’re the boss, and you decide what to do and what not to do. Then, once the session or race ends, you have to deal with everything else – sponsors, brands. That’s the part that gets a bit harder."

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He further elaborated on the need for genuine self-representation, stating, "I think the key is to be yourself. Because if you’re going to be around here for ten, fifteen, or twenty years, having to fake it for that long must be exhausting – putting on a face that isn’t yours. It’s true that, over time, I’ve learned that you need to be professional about the parts you don’t like so much, but it’s important for people to know who you really are. If I were selling an image that isn’t mine, I couldn’t go to bed peacefully."

Acosta’s perspective on wealth is particularly striking, especially considering his age and profession. Many young athletes who achieve success are drawn to displays of affluence, but Acosta maintains a grounded approach. "Money is what matters to me the least right now," he asserted. "If I were 30 or about to start a family, there’d be more things around me to worry about. But I still live at home with my mother, and I drive around in my van. Thanks to the fact that I have a very down-to-earth circle, I’ve stayed the same as always. I go out with my lifelong friends, I do exactly what I did before I made a living as a rider. That’s what keeps your feet on the ground."

Acosta’s commitment to his roots is evident in his continued connection to his hometown of Murcia, Spain. He values the normalcy of spending time with his friends and maintaining a routine that predates his racing success. "I’m really happy to still be surrounded by the same people – going out for dinner with my mates in downtown Murcia," he added.

His biggest indulgence as a MotoGP rider is not a luxury item but rather a practical tool: his van. "My van. I wanted to build one so I could travel with it, I did it, and I’m super happy with it."

While fame has inevitably altered his life, Acosta has navigated the transition by staying consistent in his habits and surroundings. "It’s true that, at first, a lot of people in Murcia didn’t know me. They’d see me in a restaurant and I’d catch their attention. But after four years of seeing me at the same place, sitting at the same table, everything just became normal."

Despite his outward composure, Acosta acknowledges the challenges he has faced in MotoGP. "They could be going better, to be honest. This has been the first year that’s truly been difficult. Until now, I thought my first season in Moto2 had been a disaster, but now I’d sign up for that one again – I won three races that year. It’s been hard to accept that I had to change the goals I’d set for myself. Even harder to do it after the very first race. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it."

Acosta’s ambition remains unwavering. "Because that’s what I want for myself. I want to win. Money doesn’t satisfy me, nothing does except coming here and winning – or at least competing. The problem is that this year we haven’t really competed. We’ve shown up, done laps, had some good races and some not-so-good ones. But I don’t feel like we’ve truly fought."

He admits to feeling resigned about his lack of victories in MotoGP. "I think it makes me feel resigned. Right now, I’m at my best as a rider; I’m more convinced than ever that I have the potential to win races – more than one. But when you finally accept that you have to change the plans you had in your head, you also realise you can’t keep blaming yourself all the time. I can only influence what’s in my own hands, and once I understood that, my mindset changed. Now I focus on what’s within my reach, not on what’s missing or out of my control. That will come. I like to think life is preparing me for something better."

Acosta’s recent performances suggest a shift in momentum. He secured two podiums in the last three races, including a close finish in Sepang, where he trailed Alex Marquez by less than three seconds. "Alex was really aggressive from the start and pushed hard to get past me and Pecco. I lacked a bit in those opening laps, but afterward I was quick and managed to preserve the tires, though I didn’t use the rear ride-height device. I feel ready to win."

Beyond personal ambition, Acosta expresses a desire to see a return to the intense rivalries that characterized MotoGP in previous eras. "Yeah, I thought the races were really cool back when Rossi and Lorenzo fought, or Lorenzo and Pedrosa, or Rossi and Marc. Those battles got fans off the couch. Now it’s different. The way I see it, the other riders want the same thing I do – and if they have to go over me to get it, they will. I give everything to achieve what I want, which is to win the MotoGP title. I think about it 24 hours a day. I didn’t come here to make friends – the real ones I already have outside."

Acosta’s future with KTM has been a topic of speculation. While he initially explored options for 2026, he now appears more settled. "Maybe I was anxious, but not just because I had doubts about the project – I even started to doubt myself. Before MotoGP, I always had the best equipment available, so I only had to focus on riding. If someone beat me, it was because I’d made a mistake; if I won, it was because I’d done things right. This year, the problem was that I trusted the bike so much that I put all the pressure on myself. And when things didn’t go as I expected, I blamed myself for everything."

He credits his support network for helping him navigate these challenges. "You have to surround yourself with good people – people who make you open your eyes. Albert [Valera], my agent, and everyone around me helped me understand that the crashes, for example, were the result of trying to go beyond what the bike could give. Races like Australia, where the tires dropped off so quickly, you can’t beat yourself up over that – it leads nowhere. After that, you could spend the whole day feeling bitter because things didn’t go your way. In those moments, it’s important to put things in perspective, focus on what’s in your control, and stop blaming yourself for everything. There are goals you simply won’t reach, no matter how hard you try, if not everything is in place. In those times, it’s important to relax and remember your potential – that’s what’s easiest to forget."

Looking ahead to the 2027 season, Acosta remains focused on the present while keeping an eye on future opportunities. "I’m not too stressed about the 2027 market. If I keep putting in strong performances like I have since the summer, there’ll be doors open when the time comes. And if KTM improves, that’s another one. People who understand bikes can clearly see what I’m missing to win."

Pedro Acosta’s journey in MotoGP is a testament to his talent, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of victory. His perspective on wealth, fame, and competition offers a unique insight into the mindset of a young athlete striving for greatness in a demanding sport. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, Acosta’s potential remains immense, and his future in MotoGP is undoubtedly one to watch.