Stoner Urges Patience for Pedro Acosta Ahead of Anticipated Ducati Switch

MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP legend Casey StonerPlayer·Casey Stoner believes that rising star Pedro AcostaPlayer·Pedro Acosta must demonstrate increased patience in direct on-track confrontations to fully realize his immense potential. Stoner's comments arrive as Acosta prepares for a highly anticipated move to DucatiTeam·Ducati for the start of the 2027 MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP season, a transfer expected to significantly shape his career trajectory.

Acosta's debut in the premier class in 2024 was marked by a blend of breathtaking speed and occasional over-aggression, leading to criticism and frequent incidents. However, over the past 18 months, the KTMTeam·KTM rider has visibly adopted a more measured approach. He has drastically reduced his crash rate, prioritizing consistent top-five finishes over high-risk overtakes, a clear sign of his evolving race craft.

Despite this progress, Stoner, a two-time MotoGPCompetition·MotoGP world champion, suggests there remains room for refinement. He asserts that Acosta sometimes exhibits an unwillingness to yield when battling specific riders on the grid, a trait that could hinder his championship aspirations. This observation appears to reference recent intense duels involving the 22-year-old Spaniard with seasoned competitors such as Marc MárquezPlayer·Marc Márquez and Enea BastianiniPlayer·Enea Bastianini.

"With Pedro, we have definitely seen the talent," Stoner stated to the official MotoGP website. "I would like to see a little more patience because I feel there are certain riders he doesn't want to see in front of him, and so he will do everything to be ahead of them. If you are going to win world championships, that doesn't work. You really need to know that some days you won't win, and you have to accept that, as well as some of those results. If Pedro can sometimes be a little more patient, then we will see his talent shine through much more."

Acosta has firmly established himself as the benchmark rider for KTMTeam·KTM since joining their factory team last year. He has consistently outperformed other riders within the Austrian manufacturer's ranks. In the 2026 season to date, Acosta has accumulated nearly double the points of the next best rider on an RC16 machine, Enea BastianiniPlayer·Enea Bastianini, who competes for the satellite Tech3Team·Tech3 team.

However, KTMTeam·KTM continues to lag behind rivals like ApriliaTeam·Aprilia and DucatiTeam·Ducati in terms of overall performance and has faced ongoing reliability challenges. Consequently, Acosta has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory as he approaches the conclusion of his third season in the premier class. Stoner believes that a more competitive machinery package will provide a clearer indication of Acosta's ultimate capabilities.

"When his time comes, he will be a big threat, especially now with a proven bike ," Stoner commented. "With KTM, it's hard to judge the level. Once we see Pedro on a Ducati, we will know much more."