Acosta is coming
MotoGP rookie tops the Sepang Shakedown test – and it’s not just one lap
The past three years have shown him to be a fast learner. But this fast? Pedro Acosta got the year off to a rapid start topping the Shakedown test at Sepang and posting lap times that barely seemed possible before the three days got underway.
The 19-year old amazed onlookers with his personal best of 1m 58.189s on the final day, which was just a tenth shy of Brad Binder’s qualifying time at last November’s GP. It would have put him fifth in last year’s official test. And Acosta was a massive 1.6s faster than the top time in last year’s Shakedown test in Malaysia, as well.
Times were quick across the board, with the Sepang International Circuit offering up high levels of grip with aerodynamic improvements making the bikes faster than ever, despite rain falling in two afternoons. “Aerodynamics are playing a big part now, every year more,” said Augusto Fernandez, attempting to explain his new teammate’s speed. “We have new things to test… But everyone has new things!” Even so, Acosta’s performance still merited praise.
Not least because his time was no one-off. Acosta gradually lowered his personal best each day.
“We enjoyed it a lot and made a really good step,” said the double World Champion. “Also, it was solid. Every day when we went on track we were able to make the same lap time from the first time in the morning. Normally that’s not so easy for me.”
It was a successful outing for KTM as a whole. Optimism abounded in the Austrian team as one of their RC16s was fastest at the close of each day (Dani Pedrosa on day one, Pol Espargaro day two and Acosta day three). The factory didn’t stand still in the aero stakes over the winter, either, with test rider Pedrosa debuting a new wing attached to the top of the front mudguard.
Their efforts and times caught the attention of Repsol Honda’s Luca Marini, who noted the progress that has been made, saying: “All the other manufacturers have made huge steps this year. In particular, the KTM looks incredible.”
Brad Binder had called the preseason test at Sepang in previous years “horrendous”. But the RC16 no longer needs radical changes to be competitive, with Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3 Team Manager Nicolas Goyon noting they were “0.2s a lap off Ducati” in 2023 after some deep analysis over winter.
A truer test will come with the full rider grid present in this week’s official test (see p61 for our preview). But early signs were good.
“We’re in a good position now,” said Jack Miller. “The bike is in the right direction. Now with some extra time to reflect over the winter, the boys have been busy. Pol’s been working out the kinks. We’re on the right track.”