As the season nears its end, it’s not premature to declare Pedro Acosta the rookie of the season. This conclusion is supported by his impressive record: five podiums, four top-three sprint finishes, and a pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix, making him quite visible to his sponsors, especially those not aligned with Ducati.

Despite the fact that Acosta is the only rookie on the grid this year, he can still be described as a seasoned competitor. This view stems from the attention he received before his MotoGP debut. His performances in pre-season testing and a podium finish in his first fully wet race in Thailand showcase his talent.

“I struggled to warm up the brake disks, and it took me longer compared to Jack and Brad,” Acosta noted after the race. “I also had issues with rear tire grip. It was tough to analyze mentally. But with five laps to go, I flipped a switch and started going fast. We were heading in the right direction.”

Acosta is ready to step up to a factory KTM ride in 2025. This transition signals KTM’s confidence in the young rider, especially after recent challenges in developing talent. Next season will be crucial for KTM to help Acosta achieve his goals, particularly after a series of crashes in previous races that have affected his consistency.

“I need to focus on finishing races, even if it means settling for fifth,” he said after his Thailand sprint crash. “Right now, my priority is to finish races to start next year strong.”

While KTM has become a familiar contender since its breakthrough in 2020, it has not consistently translated that into victories. This is reflected in recent management changes, including the departure of Francesco Guidotti and the appointment of Aki Ajo, who shares KTM's vision for Acosta.

Overall, while Acosta’s potential is clear, the question remains: can KTM unlock that potential and help him secure the victories he is capable of achieving?