Pedro Acosta has voiced both interest and concern regarding MotoGP’s shift to 850cc machinery in 2027 and the increasing demands of the championship’s expanding calendar. Speaking at COTA, the Red Bull KTM rider highlighted that the upcoming reduction in engine capacity—from 1000cc to 850cc—will likely decrease top speeds, but may also result in higher cornering speeds due to a lighter minimum bike weight and other technical changes.
“I think what is dangerous at the moment is not that we go 360 km/h in the straight,” Acosta remarked. “The problem is we are much faster in the corners than last year, and than years ago. And that’s what makes the sport dangerous.”
Acosta noted that while he is “curious” to see how the new 850cc MotoGP bikes will perform, changes in aerodynamics, the switch to Pirelli tyres, and the removal of ride-height devices will further complicate predictions about safety and racing dynamics.
Beyond technical developments, Acosta drew attention to the intensifying demands of the MotoGP calendar. Since the introduction of 20 rounds in 2022 and the further expansion to 22 rounds by 2025, along with the addition of half-distance Sprint races on Saturdays, riders now face 44 races in a single season.
“[What] I feel is bad about the calendar is now the careers of the riders will be shorter,” Acosta explained. “Because there’s no way to stay 22 weekends with an important session every day—PR [Friday], Qualifying and the Sprint [Saturday], and then the main race [Sunday]. There’s no time in the weekend to say ‘OK, I will go out on track, I will take my pace, step by step, I will just ride’. Every day you have an important session, 22 [weekends] per year.”
According to Acosta, the relentless schedule and constant pressure to perform at every session increases the risk of injury and career burnout. “When the risk is higher, the percentage of how hurt you can get is higher also. It’s the only thing that I see at the moment. Not [just] the number of races.”
Acosta’s perspective is shaped by his rapid rise in MotoGP; after securing his first Sprint win at the Thai season opener, he returned to Europe ranked third in the championship, trailing only the factory Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin.
Although not yet officially confirmed, Acosta is widely expected to join Marc Marquez at the factory Ducati team in 2027, just as MotoGP enters its new era with 850cc machines.
