KTM CALMS CONCERNS OVER PEDRO ACOSTA’S 2027 TESTING FEEDBACK
1d ago·
Pedro Acosta’s switch to Ducati for the 2027 MotoGP season has sparked questions inside the paddock about how much his current testing work with KTM could influence the Austrian factory’s development. Even with the move already confirmed for next year, Acosta has been testing KTM’s 850cc machine ahead of the upcoming regulation changes, and that has prompted some to wonder whether his feedback could be compromised.
The concern was raised publicly by MotoGP commentator Gavin Emmett, who said he spoke with KTM engineers about Acosta’s testing schedule. Emmett explained that he was interested in the fact Acosta is set to test the KTM 850 on Pirelli tyres, while other riders have had their access limited due to their pending moves. He noted that Yamaha, for example, are not allowing Fabio Quartararo to test with Pirelli tyres ahead of his Honda switch. From there, Emmett questioned whether there was any risk that Acosta might provide “duff advice” to KTM, but he said the engineers he spoke with did not believe that would happen.
Emmett’s view was that Acosta is the kind of rider who would not hold back. On the Gas It Out podcast, he said: “I was talking to some KTM engineers… and I was saying how interested I was that Pedro is testing and he’s set to test again, the KTM 850 on the Pirelli tyres.” He continued by framing the issue as a matter of trust, adding: “Is there a danger at all that he might give duff advice?” Emmett then reported that the response he received was that he would not. “The Pedro that we know,” Emmett said, arguing that Acosta would “just ride as hard as he can, give the feedback that there is and that will be that,” because he feels loyal to KTM and has “principles” in the way he approaches his job.
KTM’s internal position, according to the reporting, is that they have full confidence in Acosta’s honesty and the quality of his data. The article states that KTM engineers have been “dumbfounded” by Acosta’s information from 2026 and expect a similar level of clarity from him during the 850cc testing period, even though his future team is Ducati.
Neil Hodgson offered a different angle on what Acosta’s KTM work could mean once he arrives at Ducati. While Hodgson suggested Acosta may be on the back foot compared with Marc Marquez in 2027—because Marquez will have a reference point from private testing—he argued that Acosta’s KTM testing could actually benefit Ducati. Hodgson said there are few riders you would trust with the task of developing a rival’s bike, but he believes Acosta is one of them.
Hodgson said: “There [aren’t] many riders I would say that you could trust with that task of potentially developing a bike for your rival next year, but he’s one of them.” He added that Acosta would “push to his maximum and give clear feedback,” while acknowledging that how Ducati uses the information would be up to the team. Hodgson also pointed to the practical advantage of seat time: “It’s a bit of an advantage for Ducati because he’s going to ride the KTM a couple of times, get a bit of an understanding.”
In Hodgson’s assessment, the value for Ducati comes from being able to compare what the KTM does well against what the Ducati needs. He explained that when Acosta switches, he could identify areas where the KTM is stronger and translate that into actionable guidance, saying: “Tell you what, we need this bike to turn a bit better or whatever it is.”
Overall, the reporting paints a picture of KTM addressing the fear of compromised feedback with confidence in Acosta’s character and past data, while analysts like Hodgson see the testing as potentially useful intelligence for Ducati—despite the obvious competitive tension created by Acosta’s 2027 commitment.