Pedro Acosta continued KTM’s MotoGP resurgence at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spaniard set the fastest time in Friday practice, before a late-session highside brought his day to an abrupt halt.
Despite adaptation to KTM’s upgraded aero package introduced at the Austrian GP going smoothly, Acosta admitted the opening laps in Budapest were a challenge.
“On the first laps [around Balaton Park], I wasn’t able to make any of the chicanes of the track.”
“But then the team was working super hard during the day to match all of the set-up, and it was working out quite well with my riding style – braking points, corner entry, all these things.”
Having had almost two hours of track time on Practice Friday, he described the new layout as unusual for MotoGP machinery but was satisfied with how both he and the RC16 handled it by the end of the day.
“On a MotoGP bike, it feels quite small, but it’s okay. I’m quite happy with the day,” he explained.
“A bit sad to finish the day with the crash, but again we were working quite okay.”
The crash – a highside that threw him heavily to the ground – mirrored one he suffered last season.
“I’m okay, and we’ll see tomorrow how I wake up after this hit. It was a bit strange.”
A bitter ending to the session for @37_pedroacosta & @JohannZarco1 😱💥#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/1QDq2QAblc
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 22, 2025
“I also had one of these weird crashes last year in Phillip Island, and it’s not really normal – that kind of crash.”
“Today it was exactly the same. We need to figure out what is going on with these.”
Despite the late setback, however, Acosta believes KTM has found the right direction with its 2025 package and sees the Hungarian round as another chance to bring the fight closer to Ducati.
“In the end, the bike is now matching all our [KTM] riders; it’s more in the hands of each rider now.”
Acosta’s pace and growing comfort with KTM’s revised aero underline the Austrian manufacturer’s step forward in 2025.
Whether he can convert Friday’s form into a strong Saturday qualifying and another podium push remains the next question.
“It’s true that Ducati is still quite fast in a few sectors, and also, they have the advantage that they came to ride here some weeks ago. For this, it’s always an advantage.”
