Pedro Acosta insists it is not his ‘target’ to become MotoGP world champion this year, despite leading the standings ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Acosta In Thailand he collected 32 points in the Sprint – his first MotoGP victory by any description – and finished second behind Marco Bezecchi in the Grand Prix. He leads the Aprilia rider by seven points from the second round.
Bezcicci has been seen as a favorite outside rival to Marc Marquez this year, but Acosta’s impressive performance at Buriram has made him a dark horse to beat the world champion several times.
Do you consider Pedro Acosta a MotoGP winner?
Pedro Acosta said that winning the 2026 MotoGP title is not his ‘target’.
Speaking at a pre-race press conference on Thursday, Acosta said he felt out of place at the top of the championship. He finished sixth in his rookie season and moved up to fourth last year.
b KTM Knight, his priority is to cut out the ‘mistakes’ that plagued him in 2025. Acosta had only five retirements but had to wait until the Brno Sprint to score his first podium in July.
Acosta’s lead will be temporary, Márquez joked after the sprint, but the uncertain weather and Goiania’s grip level could give the underdog another chance.
Was Marc Marquez’s dig at Pedro Acosta really necessary?
‘It wasn’t a one-day (championship) lead like Mark said,’ Acosta told reporters in Thailand.
There is such a feeling in Ducati Marquez may not be very good. He is still recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered last fall as the track layout doesn’t suit him this weekend.
“(Leading the championship) is great, but in the end, I know it’s probably not my place,” Acosta said.
But it is not our goal now, I must continue to work as I should. I was really happy with the race in Thailand because I didn’t make the mistakes that I usually made last year, but we have to keep working like this.
Michelin may have given Pedro Acosta a key advantage over Marc Marquez.
Brazilian GP circuit affected by floods. In the lead of the race. While the intense heat dried the road relatively quickly, the rain spread dirt on the ground.
‘It makes things difficult for everyone,’ Acosta said, although he believes the track should provide good grip once cleared. Premier class Grand Prix bikes have not competed in Goiania since 1989.
Michelin is bringing their reinforced tire casing. To Brazil, which has historically been a problem for Ducati – including in Thailand in the past. If it stays dry, that could give the advantage to Aprilia and KTM again.
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