The MotoGP world has been rocked by a seismic rumor that could reshape the sport’s landscape: Pedro Acosta, the prodigious young talent currently racing for KTM, is reportedly set to leave the Austrian manufacturer at the end of the 2025 season. According to multiple credible sources, the 21-year-old Spaniard is poised to join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, the outfit owned by none other than nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi. If true, Acosta would replace Franco Morbidelli, whose future with the team remains uncertain, in a move that could redefine his career and send shockwaves through the paddock.
Acosta, often hailed as MotoGP’s next superstar, burst onto the scene with a meteoric rise. After clinching the Moto3 title in 2021 and the Moto2 championship in 2023, he made his premier-class debut with KTM’s GasGas Tech3 team in 2024. His rookie season was nothing short of sensational, with four podiums and a fearless riding style that drew comparisons to legends like Marc Marquez. Now in his sophomore year with KTM’s factory-backed squad, Acosta sits fifth in the 2025 championship standings, with one win and six podiums as of the Misano Grand Prix. His blend of raw speed and charisma has made him a fan favorite, but whispers of discontent have surfaced, with reports suggesting Acosta feels KTM’s RC16 lacks the edge to challenge Ducati’s dominance.
The rumored move to VR46 is a tantalizing prospect. Rossi’s team, backed by Indonesian energy giant Pertamina, has emerged as a powerhouse in nurturing young talent. Graduates of Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy, such as Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, have become title contenders, with Bagnaia securing back-to-back MotoGP crowns in 2022 and 2023. Acosta, with his aggressive style and razor-sharp racecraft, seems tailor-made for VR46’s ethos. “Pedro is the kind of rider who can light up the grid,” an anonymous source close to VR46 told MotoGP Insider. “With Valentino’s guidance and Pertamina’s resources, he could be unstoppable.”
The potential departure from KTM raises eyebrows, given Acosta’s rapid ascent within their ranks. KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer has repeatedly called Acosta “the future of the brand,” and the team invested heavily in his development. However, tensions reportedly flared over bike performance. In 2025, KTM’s best results have come from Acosta and teammate Brad Binder, but the RC16 trails Ducati’s GP25 in corner exit and top speed—critical areas where races are won. X posts from fans reflect the sentiment, with one user stating, “Acosta’s too good to be stuck on a bike that can’t win titles. VR46 would be a game-changer.”
If Acosta joins VR46, he’d likely replace Morbidelli, the 2020 MotoGP runner-up whose 2025 season has been plagued by inconsistency. Morbidelli, a Rossi protégé, has struggled to match teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio’s pace, fueling speculation about his exit. The Italian’s contract expires in 2025, and with no confirmed seat for 2026, his future hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, Acosta’s arrival would align with VR46’s ambition to field a championship-contending lineup, especially as Ducati supplies the team with competitive machinery.
What makes this rumor so compelling is its broader implications. Acosta at VR46 would pit him against Ducati’s factory stars—Bagnaia and Jorge Martin—while placing him under Rossi’s mentorship. The Doctor, who retired in 2021, remains a towering figure in MotoGP, and his ability to shape young riders is unmatched. Imagine Acosta, with his audacious overtakes, thriving under Rossi’s strategic genius. The pairing could herald a new era for VR46, potentially challenging Ducati’s stranglehold on the championship.
Fans are already buzzing on X, with #AcostaVR46 trending alongside mock-ups of Acosta in VR46’s yellow-and-black livery. “Pedro under Vale’s wing? That’s a title contender in the making,” one post read. Others question KTM’s loss, with a user lamenting, “KTM built Acosta, and now they’re letting him walk?” The 2025 season, with its 22 races, saw an average of 20 overtakes per Grand Prix, per MotoGP’s official stats, underscoring the sport’s relentless intensity—perfect for Acosta’s all-or-nothing style.
If this move materializes, itstation will be a defining moment in MotoGP history. Acosta’s decision hinges on whether he prioritizes loyalty to KTM or seizes the chance to chase glory with VR46. As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Shark, whose next move could cement his legacy as MotoGP’s next icon. For now, the rumor mill is in overdrive, and the paddock is holding its breath.
