Pedro Acosta does not see victory as a realistic subject yet, but he knows what a win at the Austrian MotoGP would mean. The Red Bull Ring could give him the ideal ending to his KTM chapter before his planned move to Ducati in 2027.

Acosta is still without a MotoGP victory halfway through his third premier-class season. KTM’s own wait is even longer: its last win came at the Thailand Grand Prix at the end of 2022. Limiting the comparison to dry conditions takes the manufacturer’s winless run back to Barcelona in 2021. The RC16’s most notable Red Bull Ring success came with Brad Binder, who stayed on slick tyres for the final two laps as the track remained wet.

KTM test rider Pol Espargaro sees the Austrian weekend as a genuine opportunity for Acosta. Last year, the Spaniard finished third in the Sprint and fourth in the full-distance race. When Espargaro’s prediction was put to him, Acosta suggested that the weather could work in KTM’s favour. He also said the team arrives in a positive mood after two good recent races, with the RC16 appearing to have taken a step forward.

That optimism is tempered by Acosta’s assessment of the competitive order. He believes Ducati and Aprilia are currently ahead of KTM, and does not expect a major new technical development to transform the RC16 over this weekend. In his view, it is too early to think realistically about winning.

A victory would still be a dream result and the best way to close a relationship that began when Acosta joined KTM at 16. He says he has known people at the manufacturer since childhood, which gives the farewell an added personal dimension. Even so, Acosta is making no promise about the result. KTM’s prospects will depend on how the bike performs from the opening day at the Red Bull Ring.