MotoGP Gossip: Pedro Acosta a 'luxury problem that we have' - Pit Beirer

Leading us off in this week’s MotoGP gossip column is news of Pedro Acosta, who continues to impress after topping the Official Portimao Moto2 test as a rookie. 

The current Moto3 world champion set a blistering time of 1:41.552s which was -0.154s quicker than team-mate Augusto Fernandez, while nine tenths underneath Remy Gardner’ 2021 lap record. 

Even before his impressive showing at the Algarve circuit, rumours surrounding Acosta and a move to MotoGP as early as 2023 had begun circulating despite the 2022 season not having turned a competitive wheel. 

KTM are currently in one of the strongest positions from a rider line-up perspective - Brad Binder is locked into the factory team until 2024, Miguel Oliveira is contracted to the Red Bull KTM team until the end of this season, while Tech 3 KTM have last season’s Moto2 champion Gardner and runner-up Raul Fernandez within their ranks. 

With that in mind, Oliveira could be the odd man out due to his contract situation should KTM want to elevate Acosta next year, however, other manufacturers such as Honda are already being touted as very interested in prying the 17 year-old away from the Austrian brand. 

After already fending off interest from Yamaha and Aprilia to sign Fernandez last season, KTM will without doubt want to do the same with Acosta despite KTM Motorsport Director, Pir Beirer saying he only wants the Spaniard to stay as long as the rider is happy. 

On the subject of other teams being interested in Acosta, Beirer added: "This is the luxury problem we have. We do so much junior work that we grow up good riders and the first big compliment is that other rivals want these riders also. 

"Every time you sign a new contract it's a test and the first payback for us is the trust when a rider signs another contract. All four MotoGP riders have all signed already at least one new contract with us. We didn't force them to do it, they did it.

"With Pedro it's the same, he's so young. I mean, he's the super talent and of course other guys want him.

"I don’t want to lie because I don’t know exactly how long his contract is, he has a couple of years' contract. But that's not the reason why I want him to stay. I want him to stay because he thinks we are a good partner for him and I hope he will feel the same during this season when the attack will come from other manufacturers, other teams or somebody. [Crash.net]

Fresh off a new contract extension with Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia has claimed every team attempts to copy aero development specialists Ducati, but that no manufacturer has their charm. [gpone.com] 

Finally, former WorldSSP300 champion and the first ever woman to win an FIM world championship, Ana Carrasco could have five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo in her corner for the 2022 Moto3 campaign. 

Carrasco, who presented the BOE SKX Racing Team colours alongside team-mate David Munoz earlier this week, was joined on stage by Lorenzo before being asked about the potential of the Spaniard helping the team. 

As reported by Marca.com, Carrasco said: "We had little time to talk because there were many people and many commitments. It was a luxury that he came to the presentation. It gives a lot of support that a rider who has won a lot like him supports the team. I hope that in some way he can help us throughout the season." [Marca.com]