Pedro Acosta calls for MotoGP Sprint race reform after ‘boring’ Sachsenring

Pedro Acosta has called for MotoGP to shorten Sprint races to 10 laps after a ‘boring’ 15-lap race at Sachsenring on 18 June.

The MotoGP Sprint in Germany ran 15 laps on Saturday, 18 June. The top seven riders stayed in the same order from lap one to the flag. Acosta climbed from tenth to eighth by lap ten, but the race lacked overtakes.

Acosta, who finished eighth, told reporters: “15 laps is a lot for a Sprint. It’s quite difficult to keep it exciting for the fans. Maybe you can make it until lap 10, more or less.”

He added that the gap between first and eighth was only three seconds after ten laps. “This can be a nice show,” he said.

Acosta’s eighth place reflected KTM’s current competitiveness. He said Ducati and Aprilia were simply faster. “This is the reality. When we suffer, normally we can more or less manage to be in the top five. Other times we struggle and end up seventh, ninth or tenth.”

He admitted KTM’s front tyre grip was the main issue. “We start to struggle and lose pace. That’s what it is at the moment.”

Acosta welcomed MotoGP’s new grid formation. Riders now have more space on the grid for the first time. “It’s the first safety change that actually feels safer,” he said.

“You arrive at the first corner with only one or two riders beside you, not five all around. That makes it easier to manage the start.”

Acosta had carpal tunnel surgery recently. He said his wrist felt “super happy” now. “At one point I had a bit of pain, but it’s not stopping my results,” he said.

He felt the fingers and hand were back to normal. The surgery wasn’t the reason for his Sachsenring struggles.