Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta has revealed that he had the opportunity to go directly to MotoGP™ next season, but declined the opportunity in order to learn the ropes of Grand Prix racing stage by stage. The Red Bull KTM Ajo starlet has often dominated the headlines throughout 2021 as he romped home to the lightweight class title, with his pitlane to P1 performance at the Doha GP a particular highlight.
Since that memorable race at Losail, speculation was rife that he could follow in the footsteps of Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and skip Moto2™ altogether, but it was another famous face from Ducati that convinced him he made the right decision.
Referencing a conversation with two-time World Champion Casey Stoner, Acosta said that “the important thing is not to win at the bottom, but to be ready at the top and do well at the top.” The 17-year-old Spaniard is already proving a wise head on young shoulders, opting to continue his education in a steady manner.
“There was a possibility to go directly to MotoGP without going through Moto2, but I thought there was no need to skip stages. It’s good for me to gain experience, which I think I’m lacking, and to learn little by little. This will help me if I ever get to MotoGP,” Acosta told Spanish broadcaster DAZN.
Indeed, there doesn’t seem to be any rush from the rookie sensation, as he is prepared to bide his time and learn his craft before making the jump up the biggest of stages.
"If I don't win the Moto2 World Championship, even if it's only by one point, I'd like to stay in the category for a second year. At the end of 2022 I will be 18 years old. I don't even have a driving licence yet. If I stay one more year in Moto2 nothing will happen. I would even try to beat Johann Zarco's record of double World Champion.”
Pramac Racing’s Zarco became a double Moto2™ World Champion in 2016 at the age of 26, so time is most definitely on Acosta’s side. The boy from Murcia in the south of Spain is well aware of this, and hopes to remain in the sport “for a long time.” We hope so too, and are excited to see what other on-track magic Acosta can pull off in the years to come.