In Silverstone, Pedro Acosta has some strong words for KTM – but he emphasizes that he still believes in the project – Enea Bastianini also voices criticism
Throughout the Silverstone weekend, Pedro Acosta had strong words for KTM. On the one hand, he demanded clear technical progress, while on the other hand, he emphasized that he wants to fulfill his two-year contract and believes in the project. In the Grand Prix, the Spaniard finished sixth, less than two seconds behind the podium.
Nevertheless, Acosta said after the race: “It’s pretty sad to see that you try to accelerate perfectly, choose good lines, lean into the corners, stay close – and then you lose everything on the straight.”
“It’s clear: we don’t have the grip that the other bikes have. And that’s what makes my blood boil: being so close – and still not being able to attack. No matter what you do, you just can’t get there.“
”In the end, it’s not just about me. Look at the four KTMs – none in Q2, all struggling to be competitive. We need help from the factory. I’m speaking for all four riders here, not just myself.”
Maverick Vinales was the second-best KTM rider in eleventh place. He also had a difficult weekend with technical problems in practice. But Vinales doesn’t want to overestimate Silverstone, because it’s a special track.
“Grip coming out of corners is not our strong point. On this track, you need a lot of grip when leaning to get out of the corners well,“ said Vinales. ‘The corners here are very round and have a lot of banking.’
”For me, that means we have to put this track behind us and focus on Aragon, because this was definitely not the true potential of the bike. For me, it’s down to the track – Silverstone just doesn’t suit our bike.”
Nevertheless, there are said to have been discussions behind the scenes, as Acosta notes: ”I made it very clear this weekend that I need help. I don’t want to come here just to burn fuel with the KTM. I want to fight.”
“Opportunities only come once in a lifetime, and I’m not going to spend my whole life trying to become world champion in this championship. I need help from the factory. Many stars in this championship have risen quickly – and disappeared just as quickly.”
Acosta emphasizes: Belief in KTM project
“I signed this contract to fight for a world championship in MotoGP – that was clear,” emphasizes 21-year-old Acosta. “I’m not talking about becoming world champion this year or next year.”
“But I want to at least feel like I’m fighting for something – and not just there to watch what happens. But I’ve been talking about this problem since the first day of testing in Malaysia. And it’s still there. Still the same.“
”These aren’t new problems. Maybe the lap times are closer together this year and faster overall – but that’s exactly what makes our situation worse. There are more brands that are competitive.”
After seven race weekends, KTM is fourth in the manufacturer standings, just four points ahead of Yamaha. Had Fabio Quartararo won at Silverstone or finished on the podium, KTM would be last.
“As I said, I spoke to them very seriously,” Acosta said of the dramatic situation. “Guys, I need something just to be competitive. But I still say that I believe in this project.“
”I have another year on my contract, and I really believe in this project. But it’s not nice to come here and just ride along like many other manufacturers. KTM has the potential, they have everything – but somehow we have to find something.”
Enea Bastianini also finds clear words
Acosta wasn’t the only one frustrated after the Silverstone weekend, Enea Bastianini was too. Last year, the Italian won the sprint and the Grand Prix on this track as a Ducati factory rider. Now he finished 15th and 17th (including a tire pressure penalty).
“I think I deserve all the applause from KTM – because at the moment I’m the worst rider on the track,” Bastianini remarked. ‘And last year I won two races here.’
“It’s impossible that I’ll finish last this year. I think KTM has to do something for me and my future – it can’t go on like this. The bike didn’t turn and the electronics didn’t work. That’s the problem.”
“We brake hard – but in strong winds that’s not our strong point. And it’s not our strong point on this track either. It was good at Le Mans because there are a lot of stop-and-go sections there – we were competitive there. But here? No. At the moment, that’s the only really strong point of the bike – and that’s not enough.”
In two weeks, on the Monday after the race weekend, there will be an official test day with all the regular riders at MotorLand Aragon.
