Pedro Acosta’s debut in MotoGP has also made an impression on his fellow riders – Marc Marquez believes he will be in the title fight
After rookie Pedro Acosta (Tech3-GasGas) claimed his second Grand Prix podium in only his third MotoGP race in Austin, multiple world champion Marc Marquez (Gresini-Ducati) does not rule out the possibility of his compatriot being in contention for the title this year
Acosta finished a strong second at the Grand Prix of The Americas just over a week ago. Prior to that, he had already celebrated a third place in Portimao. The 19-year-old is currently in fourth place in the overall world championship standings, one position ahead of reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati).
The latter admits: “Acosta impresses me more than I expected, because he is really very strong. He doesn’t worry about anything, doesn’t worry about the tires, isn’t afraid. And to fight for the top like that without having any kind of experience is great. So I have to give him a big compliment, because he is demonstrating that he is a really great combination with the KTM.”
Marquez, who has repeatedly dueled with Acosta in the races, is no less impressed by the rookie’s strong debut in the premier class.
“Pedro reminds me of the big names who once made it into MotoGP: Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo or Casey Stoner,” the Spaniard draws the comparison. “Those who were already fighting for poles, podiums and victories in the first or second races.”
“This year he will take podiums, as he has already done, and also victories,” Marquez is certain with regard to Acosta. “And why shouldn’t he fight for the world championship, as others have done,” he adds.
Marquez himself became world champion in his first year in MotoGP. He rode for the Honda factory team at the time, while Acosta rode for Tech3-GasGas, which more or less functions as a second KTM factory team. He has so far left his brand colleagues Brad Binder and Jack Miller behind him.
A fact that comes as little surprise from Marquez’s point of view – not even for KTM: “I don’t think Pedro has shaken up the KTM group. They knew who they had there. I think they expected it, at least I expected it. “
“If you analyze the things he did in Moto3 and Moto2, you knew he would come to MotoGP and be fast. That’s his natural process,” analyzes the six-time MotoGP World Champion, who is in eighth place in the overall standings, 16 points behind Acosta.
Marquez still has to worry about his record as the youngest Grand Prix winner. In Austin 2013, he won his first race in the premier class at the age of 20 years and 63 days. In purely mathematical terms, Acosta has the entire first half of this season to snatch the record from Marquez. And according to the law of the series, second place in Portimao and third place in Austin should actually be followed by a win …