KTMS CREW CHIEF SAYS MARC MARQUEZ HAS NEVER FACED A TEAMMATE LIKE PEDRO ACOSTA

Pedro Acosta’s first MotoGP win at the Austrian Grand Prix has only intensified the spotlight on what comes next: his expected showdown with Marc Marquez at Ducati. Speaking after the Spielberg race, KTM crew chief Paul Trevathan said the challenge Acosta will bring is unlike anything Marquez has faced within his own team environment.

Trevathan explained that Marquez is already proven at the “off-track games” that can develop when teammates push each other, noting that the fight often begins long before the lights go out. He pointed out that Marquez has been “the best at this in the world,” describing how he gets under the skin of rivals and understands how to “get the company around him.” However, Trevathan stressed that Marquez has not previously had a teammate with Acosta’s specific combination of ambition and threat.

“It’s a massive challenge,” Trevathan said. He added that Marquez has never had “anybody next to him like Acosta,” warning that the situation will be different because Acosta is actively seeking to test himself against an “all-time great.” Trevathan also highlighted Acosta’s mindset, quoting him directly: “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about trying.”

Trevathan framed the potential outcome as a meaningful benchmark for Acosta as well. If Marquez can beat him “on the same bike,” Trevathan said Acosta would be able to walk away with a clear conclusion about who is better: “Okay, the guy’s better than me.”

While Trevathan acknowledged Marquez’s status as “a fantastic champion” and “a fantastic rider,” he insisted the matchup will deliver real intensity: “I don’t think he’s ever had a character and a monster next to him like Pedro.” He promised that fans should expect drama, telling viewers, “It’ll be fireworks for you guys.”

The anticipation is heightened by how Acosta has performed against KTM teammates so far. Trevathan noted that Acosta has been dominant within the RC16 group, beating the combined points total of the other riders. He also referenced the level of comparison Acosta has already drawn, benchmarking him against race winners such as Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales—while emphasizing that Marquez is a different calibre altogether.

Marquez’s current form has also been strong, with Trevathan pointing to his ability to dispatch Francesco Bagnaia, and noting the standings gap after the Red Bull Ring results. Against that backdrop, Trevathan’s message was clear: the intra-team battle with Acosta is expected to be the toughest Marquez has encountered since his early career.