Pedro Acosta Calls for Shorter MotoGP Sprints After Boring Race

Pedro Acosta has suggested placing a maximum lap limit on MotoGP Sprint races after describing Saturday’s Sachsenring contest as too long and lacking positional changes.

The leading seven riders remained in the same order from the opening lap to the chequered flag on lap 15. Acosta, who finished eighth, was the first rider to gain positions after running 10th on the opening lap.

“No. Definitely not,” Acosta said when asked whether the race had been more exciting from the motorcycle. “It is difficult to create good racing for the fans when a Sprint lasts 15 laps.”

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The KTM rider understands that Sprint distance is set at approximately half the length of the main grand prix. However, he believes circuits with a high lap count should use a maximum distance of around 10 laps to keep the field closer and improve overtaking opportunities.

Acosta said the gap between first and eighth remained at approximately three seconds until lap 10. After that point, the difficulty of following another rider closely and declining front grip allowed the field to spread further apart.

He believes eighth place reflected KTM’s current competitive level. When the package works well, the team can approach the top five, but on more difficult weekends its natural position is around seventh to 10th.

Acosta also confirmed that his hand following recent carpal tunnel surgery was not the main factor behind the result. He experienced only minor pain, while the greater limitation came from losing front-tyre grip and pace as the Sprint progressed.

However, Acosta supported MotoGP’s revised grid formation with increased spacing between riders and rows. He believes the change improves safety into the first corner by reducing the number of motorcycles running side by side.