Friendship in the paddock? For Pedro Acosta, that’s not necessarily an advantage—the Spaniard openly explains why he has no friends among his rivals
Pedro Acosta isn’t the type of rider who obsessively seeks harmony in the paddock. While MotoGP has increasingly emphasized camaraderie among riders, joint appearances, and a friendly image in recent years, the Spaniard views this development with a certain detachment.
“Maybe I’m the black sheep of the family,” or to put it another way: He sees himself as someone who “doesn’t follow the prevailing trend.”
His reasoning is pragmatic. Although the riders live together in the same world, ultimately they are all pursuing the same goal. “We’re all here to pursue the same dream, and it’s very difficult to have a sincere relationship with someone who wants exactly the same thing as you,” explains Acosta.
Because at some point, according to his logic, the shared dream takes precedence over any friendship. “To fulfill his dream, this rival would be capable of taking anyone down—at least in a sporting sense,” says the Spaniard, exaggerating slightly.
And if he can’t be completely honest with someone, he’d rather step back and maintain a certain distance, according to Acosta’s approach. That’s why the KTM rider also admits candidly: “I’ve never had friends in the paddock.”
No friends, no inhibitions
But the 22-year-old also sees definite advantages in this. “I’m glad about it, because that way I have no qualms about passing someone on the track,” explains Acosta. In other words: Anyone battling someone on the track shouldn’t have to worry about a friendship off the track.
The Spaniard believes that this very toughness is what’s partly missing from today’s MotoGP field. “Back in the day, there were major rivalries: Rossi versus Biaggi, Criville versus Doohan, Rossi versus Marquez. Those weren’t easy relationships,” he recalls. “Maybe that’s the spice that MotoGP is currently missing.”
It’s not about creating artificial conflicts, though. Acosta’s stance is more that rivals don’t have to be enemies, but they shouldn’t necessarily become friends either.
Acosta: “I’d rather keep my distance”
This attitude also explains why he experiences the current paddock differently than some of his colleagues. He observes that many riders are friends with one another, spend time together, and get along well even off the track.
He accepts that: “I understand that most riders are close to one another and that you can have a conversation with any of them.” For him, however, a line remains.
Because as soon as the helmets go on, it’s all about the same positions, the same points, and ultimately the same world championship title. That’s why Acosta stays true to himself and forges his own path: “If I can’t be honest with you, I’d rather take a step back and keep a certain distance.”
This fits with his overall demeanor: Acosta describes himself as a straightforward person who is also hard on himself. He doesn’t want to please his rivals. He wants to beat them. That’s exactly why his arrival at Ducati is likely to be particularly interesting—not just because of the dynamic with Marc Marquez.