Pedro Acosta on leaving KTM: “I’ve got no time to lose!”

With a fastest lap of 1:20.026, Pedro Acosta secured direct entry into Q2 at the Sachsenring. Once again, the Spaniard was the only rider in the KTM line-up to achieve this important milestone. The big question was: how did Acosta cope with the demands of the MotoGP bike just a few days after his operation on his right wrist?

Pedro Acosta after surgery: Pain is part of the process

The morning was mainly spent getting used to the bike again, Acosta reported. “Today I noticed that I’m not braking in the same place as usual. When I put pressure on the scar – that is, when pulling the brake lever – it causes me pain. So I’m braking differently.”

In qualifying, the race pace on the medium-compound rear tyre wasn’t a disaster. On the fast laps, however, he struggled more than usual: “When I have to be a bit more aggressive during direction changes, I get pain in my hand. I’m glad I managed to get through it.”

Acosta explained that he currently feels more comfortable in left-hand bends than in right-hand ones. In particular, in Turn 1 and when changing direction in Turn 3, he still lacks a good feel for his riding position. He expects things to improve after the summer break, once the stitches have been removed.

Morbidelli dawdled on the racing line yet again

An incident involving Franco Morbidelli caused a stir: the Italian cut him off in the middle of a fast lap as he was coming out of the pits, even though blue flags were being waved – “and there he was, right in the middle of it again”. The Italian has already attracted negative attention on several occasions this season. As a result, ‘Morbido’ has now been handed a grid penalty of three places.

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Sachsenring: Quali MotoGP

MotoGP World Championship

11.07.2026 - 10:40

Acosta’s target for the Sachsenring is more conservative: “If we finish between fifth and seventh place, that’s a good weekend.” With three Ducatis and four Aprilias – of which three would usually be in the top 10 – realistically, only sixth or seventh place remains a possibility for him.

Clear words on his departure from KTM: the RC16 isn’t ready for the title

When asked about the statement by KTM’s Head of Motorsport, Pit Beirer, that the team had staked everything on Acosta and had no Plan B, the Spaniard responded firmly: “These things happen. Ever since I signed my works contract, I’ve always said that I only want a motorbike with which I can win the World Championship. This bike is clearly not that yet. And I’ve got no time left to waste.”

He said he’d gained a lot of experience at KTM, but had also felt that he needed a new challenge for his career. Acosta explained that KTM had secured a strong line-up for 2027 with Alex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio.