MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pedro Acosta made headlines at the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix after receiving a €2000 fine (approximately $2,200) for violating MotoGP’s new restart rule. The incident occurred during the qualifying session at Sepang Circuit, part of the 20th round of the 2025 MotoGP season held on October 24-26, 2025. This marked the first enforcement of the new regulation, highlighting the challenges riders face in adapting to stricter rules.
During the second qualifying session (Q2) on Saturday, October 25, 2025, Acosta crashed at Turn 1 with 2 minutes and 45 seconds remaining. A new MotoGP rule, announced on Thursday prior to the event, prohibits riders from rejoining the track after a crash in the final three minutes of practice or qualifying. Despite this, Acosta continued and secured fifth place on the grid. The FIM stewards’ panel, led by Simon Crafar, imposed a €2000 fine (around $2,200 at $1.10 per euro) without a sporting penalty.
Acosta acknowledged the difficulty of complying with the rule in the heat of the moment. “When you crash, checking the dashboard for the time is the last thing on your mind,” he said. He also noted that marshals encouraged him to return to the track, complicating his decision to stop. Despite the fine, Acosta remained focused, viewing the incident as part of his learning curve in MotoGP.
Despite the penalty, Acosta delivered a strong performance in the sprint race on Saturday. The Spanish rider finished fourth, later promoted to third after Fermin Aldeguer was disqualified for a tire pressure violation. Acosta struggled with tire degradation on his KTM bike, losing pace in the final laps and finishing 5.5 seconds behind sprint winner Francesco Bagnaia.
The Q2 crash was Acosta’s third of the weekend, following two incidents in Friday’s practice. Nevertheless, he qualified for Q2 and demonstrated resilience, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in MotoGP.
The fine serves as a reminder for riders to adapt to the new restart rule, particularly in high-pressure situations. Acosta, known for his quick restarts, is likely to exercise greater caution moving forward. With the main race scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 15:00 local time, Acosta remains a contender despite technical hurdles. Sportrik’s analysis suggests that tire management and strategic racing will be pivotal for Acosta to maximize his performance at Sepang.
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