The MotoGP world was rocked by a seismic shift in the rider market as Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team officially secured the services of Pedro Acosta from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the 2027 season, in a deal that has shattered financial records and left fans reeling. The announcement, made on the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix in August 2025, marks a bold move by Rossi to position his team as a championship contender, with Acosta, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy, hailed as the rider capable of outshining even Marc Marquez. Rossi’s audacious claim that “Acosta is better than Marc” has ignited fierce debate, amplifying the hype around this blockbuster transfer.
Acosta’s rise in MotoGP has been nothing short of meteoric. Bursting onto the scene in 2024 with KTM’s satellite Tech3 squad, he clinched nine podiums in his rookie season, finishing sixth overall. His promotion to KTM’s factory team in 2025 was expected to catapult him to title contention, but the Austrian manufacturer’s financial struggles and technical woes hampered his progress. Despite a double podium in Czechia and a sprint podium at KTM’s home race in Austria, Acosta’s frustration with the RC16’s lack of competitiveness was palpable. His public criticism of KTM’s development and rumors of a strained relationship with the team fueled speculation about his future, with Rossi’s VR46 emerging as the frontrunner to secure his signature.
The deal, reportedly worth £13 million per year, is the most lucrative in MotoGP history, surpassing even the contracts of Marquez and Rossi in their prime. While Acosta’s current KTM contract binds him through 2026, VR46’s negotiations, led by Rossi’s right-hand man Uccio Salucci, exploited a loophole allowing a pre-agreement for 2027. This move echoes Marquez’s own strategic exit from Honda in 2023, orchestrated by the same manager, Albert Valera. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the paddock, with KTM’s motorsport boss Pit Beirer admitting the team faces a “complicated” future without their cornerstone rider. KTM’s financial crisis, with debts exceeding €3 billion, and the rumored withdrawal of Red Bull’s sponsorship only deepened the uncertainty, making Acosta’s departure all but inevitable.
Rossi’s bold assertion that Acosta surpasses Marquez stems from his belief that the young Spaniard represents the “anti-Marquez,” a rider capable of challenging the eight-time world champion’s dominance. Marquez, now riding for Ducati Lenovo, has been untouchable in 2025, extending his winning streak at the Austrian Grand Prix and leading the championship by a commanding margin. Rossi, whose rivalry with Marquez defined an era, sees Acosta as the key to preventing Marquez from matching his nine world championships. Italian media, notably Gazzetta, reported Rossi’s admiration for Acosta’s fearless style and charisma, qualities reminiscent of Marquez’s early career but tempered by a maturity that Rossi believes gives Acosta an edge.
The implications for VR46 are monumental. As Ducati’s premier satellite team, VR46 will gain a factory-spec bike in 2027, potentially elevating Acosta to the same machinery as Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. The move raises questions about the team’s current lineup, with Franco Morbidelli’s one-year contract expiring in 2026 and Fabio Di Giannantonio facing pressure to retain his seat. Salucci confirmed discussions with Acosta began months ago, with Rossi personally mentoring the youngster during visits to his Ranch. These interactions, initially framed as casual, were strategic, laying the groundwork for VR46 to secure MotoGP’s brightest talent.
For Acosta, the move offers a chance to fulfill his championship ambitions. His 2025 season, while showing flashes of brilliance with a best finish of third in Brno, has been marred by crashes and KTM’s inability to match Ducati’s pace. At VR46, Acosta will benefit from Ducati’s superior machinery and Rossi’s tactical acumen, a combination that could redefine the sport’s hierarchy. Fans, however, are divided. Some hail Acosta as the natural heir to Marquez, pointing to his record-breaking Moto3 and Moto2 titles, while others argue that Marquez’s experience and cunning make Rossi’s claim premature.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the spotlight will be on Acosta’s performance with KTM, knowing his future lies elsewhere. Rossi’s gamble on Acosta signals a new chapter for MotoGP, one where the next generation is poised to challenge the old guard. Whether Acosta can truly eclipse Marquez remains to be seen, but with Rossi’s backing and a record-breaking deal, the stage is set for a rivalry that could define the sport for years to come.
