Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo): only the fifth rider in 73 years of history to stand on the podium in his opening three Grands Prix, and the Spaniard is the youngest of all to do so. A star is born in the Moto3™ World Championship, and unsurprisingly, the 16-year-old has been receiving plenty of praise from some well-known World Champions.
Acosta’s “the plan was to have fun for 25 minutes, then take the trophy” line in parc ferme on Sunday was brilliant. It was a statement from a young man to confirm that he was here, enjoying life as a Grand Prix racer, and ready to continue rocking the world. A P2 in Qatar followed by a stunning pitlane to P1 victory in Doha, before ousting Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) on the last lap in Portimao, is more proof than we need to know that a rookie is going to take some serious beating in the 2021 lightweight class title race.
Compatriot Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) is well aware of what it takes to win World Championships, and the famous number 93 is seriously impressed with Acosta’s performances.
One of a kind!!! ????@37_pedroacosta amazes again in Portimao with back-to-back wins! What a way to start your rookie season in Moto3! ???? ????
— Red Bull KTM Ajo (@RedBull_KTM_Ajo) April 18, 2021
| #PortugueseGP | @MotoGP | pic.twitter.com/j8ZwAaQiHH
“Pedro Acosta is good, very good. I already tweeted about him after the Qatar race. He rides differently,” said Marc Marquez. “I think that he will win this year, but let's not put pressure on the kid. He is very young, but if he keeps his head where he has to keep it, he will reach MotoGP™ and he will do it very well.
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FREE: ENJOY THE FULL ACOSTA VS FOGGIA FINAL LAP FIGHT
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RECAP: ACOSTA CREATES 73-YEAR GRAND PRIX HISTORY
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RELIVE ACOSTA'S OUTRAGEOUS PITLANE TO VICTORY RACE IN DOHA
“He will reach Moto2 and eventually get to MotoGP ™. He will be one more Spaniard in the category and I have no problem recognising that when he arrives, if he continues this progression, he will make things very difficult,” complimented Marquez. That’s some praise.
After Acosta’s incredible Doha GP win, nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) jokes that he’d “wait for him” to get to MotoGP™. The 42-year-old Italian also heaped praise on the Spaniard after his Portimao victory, saying: “Impressive. He had a perfect race. It is amazing. He has great talent and a great future.”
Acosta has been a great revelation in 2021, but his rivals will be hungrier than ever to stop the rookie from continuing his hot streak when they get to Jerez for Round 4. Heading there, Acosta boasts a healthy 31-point advantage over teammate Jaume Masia. The riders behind are already playing catch up, but we know just how unpredictable Moto3™ is.