CASEY STONER URGES PEDRO ACOSTA TO BE MORE PATIENT IN MOTO GP RACING

Casey Stoner believes Pedro Acosta has the raw speed and talent to become a major force at Ducati, but says the Spaniard may need to adjust his approach in wheel-to-wheel moments if he wants to convert that promise into a MotoGP world title.

The two-time MotoGP champion backed Ducati’s decision to line up Acosta alongside reigning champion Marc Marquez, telling MotoGP.com: “You can’t argue with the [2027 Ducati] line-up.” Stoner added that Marquez’s dependability is a key factor, pointing to how the eight-time world champion continues to produce results regardless of injury. “Marc is incredibly dependable. You know what he is going to be able to produce,” Stoner said. “He's an incredible talent and doesn't seem to matter what injury he has, he always just keeps fighting through, finding a way to get results.”

While Stoner praised Acosta’s ability, he echoed the idea that the KTM-era rookie’s aggression has sometimes come with consequences. “Pedro, we've seen the talent for sure,” he said. “I think I would like to see a little bit more patience, because I feel that there's certain riders on the grid he doesn't like to see in front, so he will do anything to be in front of them.” Stoner argued that this mindset can limit championship outcomes: “And if you're going to win championships, this doesn't really work. You really need to know some days you're not going to win, and you need to accept that.”

In Stoner’s view, Acosta’s potential will be easier to unlock once he learns when to hold back and when to attack. “So, I think Pedro sometimes could be maybe a little bit more patient, then we can see the talent come out a lot more, and when the time comes, he will, for sure, be a big threat, especially on a bike that is proven.” He also suggested that Ducati’s established performance will make it clearer where Acosta’s true level sits: “With the KTM it’s really difficult to know where the level is, and then once we see Pedro on the on Ducati, we'll know a lot more.”

Stoner’s comments also touched on the wider Ducati situation, with the Australian expressing sympathy for Pecco Bagnaia as the Italian prepares to leave for Aprilia. “I feel very sorry for Pecco,” Stoner said. He referenced the recent period of struggle and the public debate around Bagnaia’s form, saying that “everybody lost faith in in Pecco” due to talk that he was “just complaining it's the same bike.” Stoner, however, felt the criticism didn’t match what he saw from the outside. “But I could see from the outside that the bike was not the same.”

He described Bagnaia as a rider who is typically smooth in how he works the machine, and claimed he had watched the bike behave in ways it “shouldn't be doing.” Stoner also framed the move as an unfortunate turn for the rider who delivered Ducati’s recent championship success: “Considering Pecco is the one that really gave them their first championship since mine - back-to-back - and was second either side of that… he got the short straw, for sure.”

Looking ahead, Stoner said he is hopeful Bagnaia can regain confidence with a fresh start. “I'm excited to see what can happen for him to find some new motivation, hopefully a new family in Aprilia and get back to his ways and where he was confident.”