Before Marc Marquez confirmed his move to the factory Ducati team for 2025, he was also in discussions with KTM. However, these negotiations ultimately fell through. KTM has now explained their reasoning behind the decision to prioritize their rising star, Pedro Acosta, over the seasoned champion Marquez.
KTM’s Vice President, Hubert Trunkenpolz, elaborated on their strategic choice: “The renewal of the contract with Pedro Acosta has been our top priority in recent times. There have been no negotiations with Marc Marquez regarding 2025. We have never spoken specifically with him because we have always prioritized Acosta. We have done everything possible to secure Acosta for 2025 and 2026. Beyond that, there are several options to continue with him.
Trunkenpolz continued by emphasizing the unified stance within KTM: “Stefan Pierer, Pit, and I agree that Marc is not an option for us. We want to give Acosta the space and opportunity to become an absolute superstar with us. This wouldn’t be possible if he had Marc Marquez in the box next door at GASGAS Tech3. We don’t need all this attention. Acosta also pursues the goal of becoming MotoGP World Champion while Marquez is still racing. We will actively support him in achieving this goal.”
KTM’s decision highlights their long-term vision of nurturing young talent and establishing a legacy with homegrown champions. By focusing on Acosta, KTM aims to build a future star without the overshadowing presence of an established icon like Marquez. This strategic move underscores the importance KTM places on giving Acosta the best possible environment to succeed and become a MotoGP World Champion.