Pedro Acosta Battles Back After Surgery, Eyes Ducati Move

Pedro Acosta qualified for Q2 at the Sachsenring on 5 July 2026, posting a 1:20.026 lap just ten days after carpal‑tunnel surgery, and used the interview to stress that his planned 2027 move from KTM to Ducati can’t wait.

The Spaniard rode the KTM RC16 straight into Q2, the only rider from his team to do so. He admitted the right‑hand scar still hurt when he pulled the brake lever, forcing him to alter his braking points. Still, he managed a competitive medium‑compound rear‑tyre pace and avoided a crash, finishing the session in a respectable position that keeps his weekend hopes alive.

Acosta said the pain was most noticeable in right‑hand bends, especially Turn 1 and the direction change at Turn 3. He felt more confident in left‑hand corners, where the wrist isn’t as heavily loaded. The rider expects the stitches to come out after the summer break, which should restore his full feel for the bike.

When asked about KTM boss Pit Beirer’s claim that the team had “no Plan B,” Acosta replied that his contract always required a bike capable of winning the World Championship. “This bike isn’t ready for the title, and I’ve got no time left to waste,” he said, underscoring his ambition to compete for wins rather than settle for midfield results.

With three Ducatis and four Aprilias likely to dominate the top ten, Acosta set a modest goal: finish between fifth and seventh. Realistically, a sixth‑ or seventh‑place finish is the most achievable outcome given the competition’s depth.

During the same qualifying session, Italian rider Franco Morbidelli cut Acosta off while exiting the pits, ignoring blue‑flag signals. The incident earned Morbidelli a three‑place grid penalty, adding another variable to the race weekend’s drama.

Acosta plans to keep refining his wrist recovery over the summer break, hoping the stitches are removed before the next round. Meanwhile, negotiations with Ducati continue, with both parties keen to lock in a deal that gives him a championship‑ready machine for 2027.

If Acosta can translate his qualifying speed into race pace, a top‑six finish at the Sachsenring would boost his points tally and keep him in contention for a strong finish to the 2026 season. The rider’s candid comments also signal that KTM’s 2027 lineup-featuring Alex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio-will no longer be his focus, sharpening the narrative around his upcoming team change.