PEDRO ACOSTA SAYS KTM ENGINE FIX WON’T DELIVER A BIG PERFORMANCE JUMP AT SILVERSTONE

Pedro Acosta has played down the immediate impact of KTM’s ongoing engine troubles, insisting that even once the RC16 can be fully repaired, the performance gain is unlikely to be dramatic. Speaking at Silverstone, the Spaniard said KTM is still operating under limitations following the issues that affected the factory’s bikes earlier in the season, including the sudden shut-down problems that were linked to faulty parts.

KTM has now been granted permission by its rivals to open its engines and replace the problematic components. However, Acosta confirmed that the full fix will not arrive in time for this weekend’s British Grand Prix. As a result, KTM will “continue with the interim solutions currently in place,” meaning the team will have to race with reduced engine performance for at least the Silverstone round.

Acosta pointed to where those restrictions have been most noticeable. He referenced the contrast between Barcelona and Mugello, explaining that the bike’s limitations were not obvious in the former, but became clear later. “Sure, we have some [engine] limitations after the problems that all KTMs were having in Barcelona,” Acosta said. “That is clear because in Barcelona we were not super slow. And remember how slow we were [next time] in Mugello…”

The KTM rider also stressed that the shortfall should not be measured in terms of a massive step down, but rather as a gap that can be managed. “Sure, it’s missing some performance, but nothing that will give us three tenths,” he added, suggesting the deficit is real yet not insurmountable.

Looking ahead, KTM is targeting a return to full engine performance later this month, with Aragon identified as the next point where the complete solution could be in place. Even then, Acosta does not expect a sudden transformation. Instead, he framed the remaining challenge as a combination of technical progress and avoiding mistakes.

Despite being seventh in the championship and 42 points behind third-placed Marco Bezzecchi, Acosta believes a top-three championship finish remains within reach. “KTM is working super hard to make it not happen, all the mistakes that we were having during the first part of the season,” he said. “At the end we are not that far from the top three.”

He also urged a more disciplined approach to points, particularly when conditions are difficult. “For this, I said to them, okay, we have to still believe, but also we still need to not lose points for free,” Acosta explained. “They, and I, am quite convinced also that top three is still realistic, if we don't make many mistakes from my side and from the technical side.”

Acosta’s immediate focus at Silverstone was complicated by two crashes on Friday. Even so, he secured direct access to qualifying 2. He acknowledged that the circuit was always going to be challenging for his riding style and the bike’s characteristics, noting that last year he qualified 14th. “For this, I think we can be satisfied,” he said. “It's also true that I think we still have space to improve.”

The second crash, he added, disrupted his ability to find a consistent rhythm. “But it was quite difficult to get into the rhythm after the second crash,” Acosta said. He also described an unexpected issue with the bike’s behavior, saying he normally does not experience that kind of instability. “Normally I don't have this kind of, I would call it chatter. And being honest, it surprised me. Something caused the chatter, but anyway, we just have to check it and see how to not make it happen tomorrow.”

On the timesheets, Tech3’s Enea Bastianini was one place behind Acosta, while KTM factory teammate Brad Binder—who also crashed—ended the session in 18th. Maverick Viñales’ replacement, Pol Espargaro, was 21st.