Acosta: KTM Not Far From Top Three, But Needs Two Things

Pedro Acosta left Silverstone with a smile. Fifth place was more than just points; it proved KTM is heading in the right direction, especially as the best Austrian bike on a track that haunted him last year.

The young rider didn't hide his satisfaction. “Surprisingly well. I don't think anyone expected to see a KTM up there,” he said. Yet beneath the joy, a firm message was sent to his garage.

Uncomfortable Questions After Summer Break

After the summer break, Acosta chose to be blunt. “I was quite honest with the team, asking some uncomfortable questions,” he said. Those questions were well received, not as criticism but as a way to start the second half of the season with fresh energy.

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The results are showing. At Silverstone, his strategy—burning tires early to hold on at the end—worked perfectly. Despite Fabio Di Giannantonio closing in, Acosta held his ground. “It was the only chance I had,” he explained.

Top Three Target Still Open

With this performance, Acosta believes the gap to the top three in the standings isn't huge. “If we want to get there, we need two things: improve throughout the weekend, because we're usually stable but don't improve much, and second, avoid any mechanical failures,” he said.

He also opened up about his physical condition post-surgery. “It still hurts a bit and I'm still riding with a bandage. Maybe in Aragon I'll change the grips or brake lever to ease the pain,” he said. Most importantly, his fingers are fully recovered.

Off track, Acosta tested Dorna's new earplug prototype for communication. “I'm picky about earplugs, but they found a good middle ground,” he said. The new design combines his preferred type with an ear mold, though audio features are still under development.