– Pedro Acosta is not the type of rider who compulsively seeks harmony in the paddock. While MotoGP in recent years has increasingly focused on closeness between riders, joint appearances, and a friendly image, the Spaniard views this development with a certain distance.
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“Maybe I am the black sheep of the family,” Acosta says in an interview with Autosport, a sister platform of Motorsport-Total.com. Or put differently: He sees himself as someone who “does not follow the prevailing trend.”
His reasoning is pragmatic. Although the riders live together in the same world, ultimately they all pursue the same goal. “We are all here to chase the same dream, and it is very difficult to have a sincere relationship with someone who wants exactly the same as you,” explains Acosta.
Because at some point, according to his logic, the shared dream stands above any friendship. “To fulfill his dream, this opponent would be capable of killing anyone, at least in a sporting sense,” the Spaniard says somewhat exaggeratedly.
And if he cannot be completely honest with someone, he prefers to withdraw and maintain a certain distance, according to Acosta’s approach. Therefore, the KTM rider also openly admits: “I never had friends in the paddock.”
No friends, no inhibitions
But the 22-year-old also sees advantages in this. “I am glad about it because that way I have no scruples about overtaking someone on the track,” explains Acosta. Meaning: Those who fight against someone on the track should not have to consider a friendship off the track.
Photo gallery: The career highlights of Pedro Acosta
The Spaniard believes that this toughness is partly missing in today’s MotoGP field. “There used to be big rivalries: Rossi against Biaggi, Criville against Doohan, Rossi against Marquez. Those were not simple relationships,” he recalls. “Maybe that is the spicy ingredient that MotoGP currently lacks.”
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It is not about artificially creating conflicts. Acosta’s attitude is rather: Rivals do not have to be enemies, but they should not necessarily become friends either.
Acosta: “I prefer to keep my distance”
This attitude also explains why he experiences the current paddock differently than some of his colleagues. He observes that many riders are friends, spend time together, and get along well outside the racetrack.
He accepts that: “I understand that most riders are close and that you can have a conversation with each of them.” But for him, a boundary remains.
Because as soon as the helmets go on, it is about the same positions, the same points, and ultimately the same world championship title. Acosta therefore stays true to himself and seeks his own path: “If I cannot be sincere with you, I would rather take a step back and keep a certain distance.”
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This fits his entire demeanor: Acosta describes himself as a direct person who is also hard on himself. He does not want to please rivals. He wants to beat them. That is exactly why his arrival at Ducati is likely to be particularly interesting, not only because of the constellation with Marc Marquez.
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