Acosta “worries” about KTM’s financial situation ahead of MotoGP factory move

MotoGP star rookie Pedro Acosta is ‘worried’ about the prospects the KTM team faces in 2025 amid the huge financial troubles the Austrian manufacturer is undergoing, according to the rider’s manager.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that KTM is facing a debt of around 3 billion euro after having announced it would enter self-administration as it struggled with bike sales.

As revealed by Motorsport.com, its MotoGP bosses decided to pause the development of its bikes as one of the measures aimed at safeguarding the sporting project.

Acosta, who made his MotoGP debut this season with the Tech3 team, will move up to the factory squad to replace Jack Miller alongside Brad Binder in 2025.

But speaking in Motorsport.com’s Spanish edition’s podcast, Acosta’s manager Albert Valera said KTM’s financial troubles was never a consideration when striking the deal.

He also admitted the rider and his team are worried about the situation, as it could potentially leave him without a competitive bike.

“Nobody warned us of this possibility when we signed the contract in May. We were told that KTM was a giant with huge financial muscle, it was a complete surprise for us,” said Valera.

“It has not been easy news to digest. Fortunately, from what we are told, the project is going to continue in MotoGP, so there is no danger of having no bike for next year.

“What we are wondering is under what conditions we are going to be able to compete.

“In May we signed a contract with a winning project, with a company that was generating tens of millions of profit and with a clear message that they were in a strong position to be able to fight against Ducati.

“However, today this is not the case. Suddenly, in six months, everything has changed and we wonder what has happened. It is something that worries us and to deny the obvious would be absurd.

“I think we have to recognise it and be honest, and obviously, both Pedro and I, his family and his entourage, are concerned about the current situation.”

While Valera conceded it would be hard to break the contract with KTM at this point, the Spaniard said it was also difficult to trust the company’s promises.

“I think we have to do an exercise that is difficult to do, but that we have to do, which is to trust what we are told,” he added.

“I say it’s difficult to do because obviously the KTM company, at the time, told us that they were a giant and that they were in a position to take on Ducati, and that’s not the case.

Enea Bastianini, Ducati Team, Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“Now, everything they tell us we quarantine. But we have to do that difficult exercise of believing, trusting and not anticipating events.

“Thinking now about breaking a contract for 2025 is very difficult. I don’t think we have to anticipate events. You can break the contract when there is a breach by the other party. At the moment KTM has not made any breach of contract.”

“I would say that for 2025, for the moment, it’s business as usual unless the situation worsens and we hear from KTM. But the message is that they are still in the world championship.”

The 2025 MotoGP field is already set, with no rides available in any of the top teams, leaving Acosta without real options should he end up parting ways with KTM.

Valera said, however, that other manufacturers have expressed interest in the star rookie’s situation.

“I can tell you that I talk to many factories constantly because we have a good relationship and it is a daily communication that we have,” Valera said.

“They have all contacted me asking me how Pedro is doing, wishing me that this situation does not affect him; they give us their support and wish us well.

“And I know that all the factories, the moment we are in a position where we have to look for an alternative, will be open to help Acosta. Pedro is a diamond, he is 20 years old, he has already shown a lot and any factory would love to have his services.”