Acosta will fight for MotoGP title “sooner or later”, says Marquez

One of the most promising riders to come through the ranks in recent years, Acosta will make his highly-anticipated premier class debut next month at the age of just 19.

The Spaniard had already turned heads with his performances in the junior classes, winning the Moto3 title in his rookie season in 2021 and taking just two years to repeat that success in Moto2.

Interview: Why Pedro Acosta is shaping up to be the rookie MotoGP needs

But just as impressive was his speed in last weekend’s pre-season test at Sepang on the KTM RC16, as he ended up less than a tenth behind factory team rider Brad Binder in ninth place.

Although he did get three additional days of running at the Malaysian venue thanks to his status as a rookie, many of his rivals feel Acosta is already beginning to show speed and maturity well beyond his age.

Six-time MotoGP champion Marquez hailed the Spaniard as a “super talent” after closely following his progress at Sepang and believes he will be capable of contending for the title “sooner or later”.

“He will be super fast during the season,” Marquez said of Acosta. “Already [Fabio] Quartararo [was fast when he made his MotoGP debut in 2019].

“Now the guys that arrive in MotoGP are super fast. Pecco [Bagnaia] when he arrived here in the first pre-season test [in 2019], he was leading. He was the fastest in one day.

“Pedro was super fast during the test. He crashed, but it’s the way to learn.

“He crashed I don’t know how many times, but it’s the way to learn. He is attacking, so this is good, it’s a good mentality. I always defend that mentality.

“He’s fast, he will be a super talent. Maybe it will take him more time or less time, but he will fight for the championship soon or later.”

Acosta’s speed at Sepang also caught the attention of KTM motorsport boss Pit Beirer, who is excited about what the teen racer can achieve in his MotoGP career.

KTM had been closely following Acosta’s junior career and handed him a MotoGP contract for 2024 while he was still competing in Moto3 three years ago.

“In Malaysia I saw what all of you saw,” Beirer said. “He started and did fantastic things. Every day he got better and better, during the six days.

“He finished with a final time two tenths faster than last year’s pole position [time]. So the level he reaches in this category is very, very…