Ducati?s factory team confirmed on August 24, 2026, that Pedro Acosta will join Marc Márquez as his teammate for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. The move places Acosta, 11 years Márquez?s junior, in one of the sport?s top teams, presenting what officials described as the biggest challenge of his career to match or surpass the multi-time world champion.
Acosta, 20, arrives at Ducati after three MotoGP seasons marked by rapid development and notable challenges. According to MotoGP officials, he made his premier-class debut in 2024 with Tech3 KTM, achieving nine podiums and finishing sixth overall despite describing the year as ?error-prone? with multiple crashes and lost points. Acosta himself rated his rookie season between 4.5 and 6 out of 10, citing poor qualifying and race starts as key weaknesses that hindered his results despite often having the fastest race pace.
He made his premier-class debut in 2024 with Tech3 KTM, achieving nine podiums and finishing sixth overall despite describing the year as ?error-prone? with multiple crashes and lost points.
In 2025, Acosta was promoted to the factory KTM team, a move he had anticipated with enthusiasm. However, he later characterized that season as ?wasted,? acknowledging the team?s limitations and his own struggles to contend for victories or the championship. After the Valencia finale, he expressed frustration that ?we haven?t fought for anything,? but also noted that ?every situation is making me better,? signaling his view of the difficult campaign as part of his growth. Sources close to Acosta confirmed that he focused on improving consistency and control throughout the 2025 season, particularly addressing issues that led to crashes during practice and qualifying sessions.
Mental preparation has been a critical focus for Acosta. In a February 2025 interview, he said he had ?been living with pressure since I was 16,? reflecting on the high expectations placed on him since his junior racing days. He admitted that his rookie year suffered from a lack of calmness and consistency, often pushing too hard and making mistakes. Acosta credited advice from mentor Aki Ajo to ?keep calm? and emphasized that MotoGP ?needs more brain.? By late 2025, he reported improved confidence and a more professional approach, aiming to ?focus on myself? and avoid dwelling on setbacks. This mental shift coincided with a stronger finish to the season and a foundation for future progress.
Technically, Acosta has concentrated on improving qualifying performance and race starts, areas he identified as crucial after frequently having to recover from poor grid positions. At the 2025 KTM team launch, he revealed that he spent the winter working specifically on these aspects, along with managing race pace more effectively to reduce errors. He also highlighted safety and stability improvements observed during pre-season testing, stating that the team was ?more competitive, more safe from crashes.? Acosta expressed confidence that combining these gains with better qualifying would enable him to regularly challenge for podiums and victories.
The move to Ducati?s factory team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons places Acosta alongside six-time world champion Marc Márquez, who is 11 years his senior. Ducati officials described the pairing as ?one of MotoGP?s worst-kept secrets? and framed it as the ?biggest MotoGP challenge of all? for Acosta. The factory Ducati squad is widely regarded as the benchmark package on the grid in recent years, making this a significant step up in terms of equipment and expectations. Sources within Ducati confirmed that Acosta?s signing reflects confidence in his raw speed and potential to develop into a title contender.
Acosta?s career trajectory includes rapid ascents through Moto3 and Moto2, where he won championships before debuting in MotoGP in 2024. Official MotoGP records show he has yet to secure his first premier-class victory but is considered one of the grid?s most competitive young riders. His time with Tech3 KTM and the factory KTM team has provided a broad range of experience, including the difficult 2025 season he described as a learning period. According to insiders, his preparation for joining Ducati involves integrating lessons from his early MotoGP years with a refined mental and technical approach aimed at converting speed into consistent results.
As the 2026 MotoGP season unfolds, Acosta?s performance will be closely watched as he prepares to make the transition to Ducati?s factory team. His ability to improve qualifying, race starts, and consistency will be critical in meeting the challenge of competing alongside Márquez and pursuing his first premier-class title.
Ducati?s factory team confirmed on August 24, 2026, that Pedro Acosta will join Marc Márquez as his teammate for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. The move places Acosta, 11 years Márquez?s junior, in one of the sport?s top teams, presenting what officials described as the biggest challenge of his career to match or surpass the multi-time world champion.
Acosta, 20, arrives at Ducati after three MotoGP seasons marked by rapid development and notable challenges. According to MotoGP officials, he made his premier-class debut in 2024 with Tech3 KTM, achieving nine podiums and finishing sixth overall despite describing the year as ?error-prone? with multiple crashes and lost points. Acosta himself rated his rookie season between 4.5 and 6 out of 10, citing poor qualifying and race starts as key weaknesses that hindered his results despite often having the fastest race pace.
He made his premier-class debut in 2024 with Tech3 KTM, achieving nine podiums and finishing sixth overall despite describing the year as ?error-prone? with multiple crashes and lost points.
In 2025, Acosta was promoted to the factory KTM team, a move he had anticipated with enthusiasm. However, he later characterized that season as ?wasted,? acknowledging the team?s limitations and his own struggles to contend for victories or the championship. After the Valencia finale, he expressed frustration that ?we haven?t fought for anything,? but also noted that ?every situation is making me better,? signaling his view of the difficult campaign as part of his growth. Sources close to Acosta confirmed that he focused on improving consistency and control throughout the 2025 season, particularly addressing issues that led to crashes during practice and qualifying sessions.
Mental preparation has been a critical focus for Acosta. In a February 2025 interview, he said he had ?been living with pressure since I was 16,? reflecting on the high expectations placed on him since his junior racing days. He admitted that his rookie year suffered from a lack of calmness and consistency, often pushing too hard and making mistakes. Acosta credited advice from mentor Aki Ajo to ?keep calm? and emphasized that MotoGP ?needs more brain.? By late 2025, he reported improved confidence and a more professional approach, aiming to ?focus on myself? and avoid dwelling on setbacks. This mental shift coincided with a stronger finish to the season and a foundation for future progress.
Technically, Acosta has concentrated on improving qualifying performance and race starts, areas he identified as crucial after frequently having to recover from poor grid positions. At the 2025 KTM team launch, he revealed that he spent the winter working specifically on these aspects, along with managing race pace more effectively to reduce errors. He also highlighted safety and stability improvements observed during pre-season testing, stating that the team was ?more competitive, more safe from crashes.? Acosta expressed confidence that combining these gains with better qualifying would enable him to regularly challenge for podiums and victories.
The move to Ducati?s factory team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons places Acosta alongside six-time world champion Marc Márquez, who is 11 years his senior. Ducati officials described the pairing as ?one of MotoGP?s worst-kept secrets? and framed it as the ?biggest MotoGP challenge of all? for Acosta. The factory Ducati squad is widely regarded as the benchmark package on the grid in recent years, making this a significant step up in terms of equipment and expectations. Sources within Ducati confirmed that Acosta?s signing reflects confidence in his raw speed and potential to develop into a title contender.
Acosta?s career trajectory includes rapid ascents through Moto3 and Moto2, where he won championships before debuting in MotoGP in 2024. Official MotoGP records show he has yet to secure his first premier-class victory but is considered one of the grid?s most competitive young riders. His time with Tech3 KTM and the factory KTM team has provided a broad range of experience, including the difficult 2025 season he described as a learning period. According to insiders, his preparation for joining Ducati involves integrating lessons from his early MotoGP years with a refined mental and technical approach aimed at converting speed into consistent results.
As the 2026 MotoGP season unfolds, Acosta?s performance will be closely watched as he prepares to make the transition to Ducati?s factory team. His ability to improve qualifying, race starts, and consistency will be critical in meeting the challenge of competing alongside Márquez and pursuing his first premier-class title.
Ducati confirmed Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta as its factory riders for the 2027 MotoGP season, with Márquez signing a two-year extension and Acosta joining from KTM, officials said in June 2026. The team replaced Francesco Bagnaia, who signed a four-year deal with Aprilia, prompting a reshuffle that Aprilia confirmed with Marco Bezzecchi as Bagnaia?s new teammate.
Ducati?s announcement in late June 2026 confirmed Marc Márquez would remain with the Ducati Lenovo Team through the 2028 season, signing a two-year contract extension covering 2027 and 2028, officials said. Márquez enters the 2027 season as the reigning MotoGP world champion and will lead Ducati?s title defense. The team?s other factory rider will be Pedro Acosta, who joins Ducati on a two-year deal from KTM, marking his first departure from the Austrian manufacturer since his grand prix debut, sources confirmed.
This pairing creates an all-Spanish Ducati factory lineup for 2027, ending a 17-year tradition of having at least one Italian rider on the team, according to MotoGP records and team statements.
The departure of Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati triggered a significant reshuffle in the MotoGP paddock. Bagnaia signed a four-year contract with Aprilia starting in 2027, with the deal reportedly extending through 2030, Aprilia officials confirmed. Bagnaia will partner with Marco Bezzecchi, whose contract with Aprilia was secured earlier in February 2026. Aprilia?s announcement followed Ducati?s Márquez?Acosta confirmation, framing the Italian manufacturer as a primary challenger to Ducati?s dominance in the upcoming season, according to industry analysts.
KTM responded swiftly to losing Acosta by signing Alex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio to its factory team on two-year contracts covering 2027 and 2028. The signings were announced within hours of each other on a Monday night (AEST), underscoring KTM?s rapid reaction, sources said. Alex Márquez, the 2025 world championship runner-up, and Di Giannantonio, recognized as a standout performer in the 2026 season, are seen by KTM as experienced riders tasked with stabilizing the factory team in a post-Acosta era, according to KTM communications.
Gresini Ducati confirmed Joan Mir and Dani Holgado as its 2027 lineup. Mir, the 2020 MotoGP world champion, returns to a Ducati satellite team after previous seasons with Suzuki and Honda-affiliated squads, the team announced. Holgado, a Moto2 graduate who finished fifth in the 2026 Moto2 World Championship, was promoted over Manuel Gonzalez, the season?s dominant Moto2 rider, a decision described as notable by transfer market commentators. The confirmation of Gresini?s lineup reduces the number of unconfirmed seats on the grid, officials said.
Within the VR46 Ducati team, Fermin Aldeguer is confirmed for 2027, while the second seat remains contested between Nicolo Bulega and Luca Marini. Recent reports from Speedweek and MotoGP insiders indicate that Bulega is the likely candidate, but the team has not publicly announced a final decision. VR46 Ducati?s structure continues to serve as a development pathway for young talent, with Aldeguer and Bulega or Marini positioned as potential future factory riders, according to multiple sources.
Several teams have yet to finalize or publicly announce their full 2027 rider rosters. Trackhouse-Aprilia, VR46 Ducati?s second seat, Tech3 KTM, and Pramac Yamaha remain with open positions, according to mid-2026 coverage. Tech3 KTM, in particular, has not decided between Luca Marini, Senna Agius, or Manuel Gonzalez for its rider lineup, with all three names reportedly under consideration. Additionally, Honda?s factory team has one seat confirmed for Fabio Quartararo, with the second rider still to be announced. LCR Honda also has an open seat, as per official MotoGP updates.
Overall, the 2027 MotoGP rider lineup is taking shape but is not yet complete, with most key factory seats finalized. Ducati?s retention of Márquez and signing of Acosta, Aprilia?s acquisition of Bagnaia alongside Bezzecchi, and KTM?s rapid restructuring with Márquez and Di Giannantonio represent the most significant confirmed moves to date, according to MotoGP officials and team communications. Further announcements are expected in the coming months as teams finalize contracts ahead of the new regulations era set to begin in 2027.
Ducati confirmed Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta as its factory riders for the 2027 MotoGP season, with Márquez signing a two-year extension and Acosta joining from KTM, officials said in June 2026. The team replaced Francesco Bagnaia, who signed a four-year deal with Aprilia, prompting a reshuffle that Aprilia confirmed with Marco Bezzecchi as Bagnaia?s new teammate.
Ducati?s announcement in late June 2026 confirmed Marc Márquez would remain with the Ducati Lenovo Team through the 2028 season, signing a two-year contract extension covering 2027 and 2028, officials said. Márquez enters the 2027 season as the reigning MotoGP world champion and will lead Ducati?s title defense. The team?s other factory rider will be Pedro Acosta, who joins Ducati on a two-year deal from KTM, marking his first departure from the Austrian manufacturer since his grand prix debut, sources confirmed.
This pairing creates an all-Spanish Ducati factory lineup for 2027, ending a 17-year tradition of having at least one Italian rider on the team, according to MotoGP records and team statements.
The departure of Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati triggered a significant reshuffle in the MotoGP paddock. Bagnaia signed a four-year contract with Aprilia starting in 2027, with the deal reportedly extending through 2030, Aprilia officials confirmed. Bagnaia will partner with Marco Bezzecchi, whose contract with Aprilia was secured earlier in February 2026. Aprilia?s announcement followed Ducati?s Márquez?Acosta confirmation, framing the Italian manufacturer as a primary challenger to Ducati?s dominance in the upcoming season, according to industry analysts.
KTM responded swiftly to losing Acosta by signing Alex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio to its factory team on two-year contracts covering 2027 and 2028. The signings were announced within hours of each other on a Monday night (AEST), underscoring KTM?s rapid reaction, sources said. Alex Márquez, the 2025 world championship runner-up, and Di Giannantonio, recognized as a standout performer in the 2026 season, are seen by KTM as experienced riders tasked with stabilizing the factory team in a post-Acosta era, according to KTM communications.
Gresini Ducati confirmed Joan Mir and Dani Holgado as its 2027 lineup. Mir, the 2020 MotoGP world champion, returns to a Ducati satellite team after previous seasons with Suzuki and Honda-affiliated squads, the team announced. Holgado, a Moto2 graduate who finished fifth in the 2026 Moto2 World Championship, was promoted over Manuel Gonzalez, the season?s dominant Moto2 rider, a decision described as notable by transfer market commentators. The confirmation of Gresini?s lineup reduces the number of unconfirmed seats on the grid, officials said.
Within the VR46 Ducati team, Fermin Aldeguer is confirmed for 2027, while the second seat remains contested between Nicolo Bulega and Luca Marini. Recent reports from Speedweek and MotoGP insiders indicate that Bulega is the likely candidate, but the team has not publicly announced a final decision. VR46 Ducati?s structure continues to serve as a development pathway for young talent, with Aldeguer and Bulega or Marini positioned as potential future factory riders, according to multiple sources.
Several teams have yet to finalize or publicly announce their full 2027 rider rosters. Trackhouse-Aprilia, VR46 Ducati?s second seat, Tech3 KTM, and Pramac Yamaha remain with open positions, according to mid-2026 coverage. Tech3 KTM, in particular, has not decided between Luca Marini, Senna Agius, or Manuel Gonzalez for its rider lineup, with all three names reportedly under consideration. Additionally, Honda?s factory team has one seat confirmed for Fabio Quartararo, with the second rider still to be announced. LCR Honda also has an open seat, as per official MotoGP updates.
Overall, the 2027 MotoGP rider lineup is taking shape but is not yet complete, with most key factory seats finalized. Ducati?s retention of Márquez and signing of Acosta, Aprilia?s acquisition of Bagnaia alongside Bezzecchi, and KTM?s rapid restructuring with Márquez and Di Giannantonio represent the most significant confirmed moves to date, according to MotoGP officials and team communications. Further announcements are expected in the coming months as teams finalize contracts ahead of the new regulations era set to begin in 2027.
Jack Miller defended Toprak Razgatlioglu?s performance in the 2026 MotoGP season on August 21, saying Yamaha?s current YZR-M1 bike limited the Turkish rider?s ability to succeed. Miller said Yamaha halted development of the 2026 machine to focus on a new 850cc model for 2027, leaving Razgatlioglu and other riders with uncompetitive equipment.
This decision, he explained, left riders including himself, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Fabio Quartararo, and Alex Rins competing on an uncompetitive platform with no major performance upgrades expected, according to an August 21 report. Miller described the 2026 Yamaha as lacking the competitiveness necessary for any rider on the team to distinguish themselves in the championship.
Miller said Yamaha halted updates to the 2026 YZR-M1 to concentrate on developing a new 850cc machine for the 2027 season, effectively freezing the current bike?s development for the remainder of 2026.
The development freeze has been identified by several sources as the root cause of Yamaha?s struggles this season. Crash.net noted that Razgatlioglu was, at one point in 2026, the only full-time Yamaha rider without a top-10 finish, underscoring the significant performance gap between Yamaha and rival manufacturers. The YZR-M1?s inline-four engine configuration has fallen behind competitors using V4-powered bikes, contributing to Yamaha?s difficulties, according to multiple reports.
Miller defended Razgatlioglu?s talent throughout his rookie MotoGP season, emphasizing that the rider?s challenges stem from the bike rather than his abilities. In an August 2026 interview, Miller called Razgatlioglu ?immensely talented? and a ?great guy,? stressing that the Turkish rider?s rookie year was primarily focused on developing the underperforming Yamaha machine. Miller said the duo would like to celebrate better results together but acknowledged that ?these are the cards we?ve been dealt,? referring to Yamaha?s current package and development strategy.
Performance data supports Miller?s assessment. As of August 2026, Miller was 19th in the MotoGP championship with 23 points and a best finish of eighth place in Hungary, illustrating the difficulties even experienced riders face on the current Yamaha. Razgatlioglu?s lack of top-10 finishes further highlighted the bike?s competitive shortcomings. The rider himself has reportedly expressed frustration with Yamaha?s struggles, at times considering pulling into the pits due to the bike?s performance deficits, according to sources.
Miller also described Razgatlioglu?s MotoGP debut as ?unfortunate? in terms of timing, coinciding with Yamaha?s difficult period and the development freeze on the 2026 bike. He said the rookie season has been spent largely on development rather than competing for strong finishes, framing Razgatlioglu?s situation as a battle against machinery and circumstances rather than a reflection of his skill level. Miller?s blunt assessment included a metaphor describing Yamaha riders as ?like a lamb to the slaughter? when competing against better-equipped rivals, illustrating the vulnerability caused by the bike?s limitations.
Yamaha management has publicly highlighted Miller?s experience as an asset in helping Razgatlioglu adapt to MotoGP?s unique demands, including tire management and bike characteristics. During 2025 testing and early coverage of Razgatlioglu?s move from WorldSBK to MotoGP, Miller praised the Turkish rider as a ?world-class motorcycle rider? and a ?major asset for MotoGP,? anticipating a relatively quick adaptation to the premier class. Media narratives have consistently portrayed Miller as both warning about Yamaha?s current limitations and expressing confidence in Razgatlioglu?s long-term potential once the machinery improves.
Miller also pointed to Razgatlioglu?s distinct riding style, characterized by heavy braking, as a valuable source of data to aid Yamaha?s development efforts. This focus on the rider?s contribution to the team?s technical progress aligns with the broader understanding that the 2026 season is a transitional period for Yamaha, with limited scope for immediate success.
The current situation reflects Yamaha?s strategic decision to prioritize the 2027 regulations, which will introduce the new 850cc machine. Until that upgrade arrives, Miller and his teammates must contend with a stagnant platform that restricts their competitiveness. This context has shaped media coverage and team communications throughout 2026, framing Razgatlioglu?s rookie season as constrained more by the manufacturer?s project timeline than by the rider?s capabilities.
Jack Miller defended Toprak Razgatlioglu?s performance in the 2026 MotoGP season on August 21, saying Yamaha?s current YZR-M1 bike limited the Turkish rider?s ability to succeed. Miller said Yamaha halted development of the 2026 machine to focus on a new 850cc model for 2027, leaving Razgatlioglu and other riders with uncompetitive equipment.
This decision, he explained, left riders including himself, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Fabio Quartararo, and Alex Rins competing on an uncompetitive platform with no major performance upgrades expected, according to an August 21 report. Miller described the 2026 Yamaha as lacking the competitiveness necessary for any rider on the team to distinguish themselves in the championship.
Miller said Yamaha halted updates to the 2026 YZR-M1 to concentrate on developing a new 850cc machine for the 2027 season, effectively freezing the current bike?s development for the remainder of 2026.
The development freeze has been identified by several sources as the root cause of Yamaha?s struggles this season. Crash.net noted that Razgatlioglu was, at one point in 2026, the only full-time Yamaha rider without a top-10 finish, underscoring the significant performance gap between Yamaha and rival manufacturers. The YZR-M1?s inline-four engine configuration has fallen behind competitors using V4-powered bikes, contributing to Yamaha?s difficulties, according to multiple reports.
Miller defended Razgatlioglu?s talent throughout his rookie MotoGP season, emphasizing that the rider?s challenges stem from the bike rather than his abilities. In an August 2026 interview, Miller called Razgatlioglu ?immensely talented? and a ?great guy,? stressing that the Turkish rider?s rookie year was primarily focused on developing the underperforming Yamaha machine. Miller said the duo would like to celebrate better results together but acknowledged that ?these are the cards we?ve been dealt,? referring to Yamaha?s current package and development strategy.
Performance data supports Miller?s assessment. As of August 2026, Miller was 19th in the MotoGP championship with 23 points and a best finish of eighth place in Hungary, illustrating the difficulties even experienced riders face on the current Yamaha. Razgatlioglu?s lack of top-10 finishes further highlighted the bike?s competitive shortcomings. The rider himself has reportedly expressed frustration with Yamaha?s struggles, at times considering pulling into the pits due to the bike?s performance deficits, according to sources.
Miller also described Razgatlioglu?s MotoGP debut as ?unfortunate? in terms of timing, coinciding with Yamaha?s difficult period and the development freeze on the 2026 bike. He said the rookie season has been spent largely on development rather than competing for strong finishes, framing Razgatlioglu?s situation as a battle against machinery and circumstances rather than a reflection of his skill level. Miller?s blunt assessment included a metaphor describing Yamaha riders as ?like a lamb to the slaughter? when competing against better-equipped rivals, illustrating the vulnerability caused by the bike?s limitations.
Yamaha management has publicly highlighted Miller?s experience as an asset in helping Razgatlioglu adapt to MotoGP?s unique demands, including tire management and bike characteristics. During 2025 testing and early coverage of Razgatlioglu?s move from WorldSBK to MotoGP, Miller praised the Turkish rider as a ?world-class motorcycle rider? and a ?major asset for MotoGP,? anticipating a relatively quick adaptation to the premier class. Media narratives have consistently portrayed Miller as both warning about Yamaha?s current limitations and expressing confidence in Razgatlioglu?s long-term potential once the machinery improves.
Miller also pointed to Razgatlioglu?s distinct riding style, characterized by heavy braking, as a valuable source of data to aid Yamaha?s development efforts. This focus on the rider?s contribution to the team?s technical progress aligns with the broader understanding that the 2026 season is a transitional period for Yamaha, with limited scope for immediate success.
The current situation reflects Yamaha?s strategic decision to prioritize the 2027 regulations, which will introduce the new 850cc machine. Until that upgrade arrives, Miller and his teammates must contend with a stagnant platform that restricts their competitiveness. This context has shaped media coverage and team communications throughout 2026, framing Razgatlioglu?s rookie season as constrained more by the manufacturer?s project timeline than by the rider?s capabilities.