Pedro Acosta is set to make his much-anticipated debut in the premier class this year, joining the Tech3 GASGAS team following his impressive conquest of the Moto3™ and Moto2™ titles in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Seizing the opportunity presented by the winter hiatus in the World Championship, which extends until the Sepang Test next February, the rising Spanish sensation candidly shared his journey in the documentary 'Pedro Acosta: A must-win,' which premiered this Wednesday on MotoGP™'s Spanish broadcaster DAZN. Acosta began the show by offering a heartfelt tribute to his hometown Puerto de Mazarron—a place that has ensured he has kept his feet on the ground amid the whirlwind of success and acclaim.
"The subject of Andorra came up, but there are things here that I can't lose. Fame is difficult, it's what changed me the most in every sense. I live in a town where everyone knows you, and one day, people started coming and knocking on the door... I haven't swum in the beach of Mazarron for three years. I can't go. But I think Mazarron is why I haven't let success get to my head. You have to know where to be, and I'm comfortable here; I would pay to be here."
As the documentary develops, Acosta delves into a demanding start to life at the top level of motorcycle racing: "I entered the World Championship, and after seven races, I was already being called the World Champion. It was the name I had to earn. And a kid who arrives, gets on an official KTM bike with Red Bull behind him, isn't here just to learn. In the end, they put you there to win. Not to do what I did, but to win. I missed out on many simple things, like enjoying being with a small team that gradually brings you up, and you achieve your first podium. I lost the path of coming from the bottom. Suddenly, I appeared in the championship. And from there, I couldn't step down. I missed racing a normal season in Moto3™. I missed enjoying the team's people. I missed going to see things during a Grand Prix. But it's true that if tomorrow they asked me if I would make the same decision, I would say yes. I don't know the World Championship any other way. If I hadn't won the title that year, I think everyone would have been disappointed. My career wouldn't be where it is now."
Despite basking in the media spotlight and shattering numerous records, Acosta confronted formidable challenges in his inaugural season within the intermediate category: "In 2021, I started very well; it was a very good year. And generally, there weren't many ups and downs. In 2022, I wanted to be World Champion again. I didn't go to races for anything else. I went confidently to do it, but it didn't start as I wanted. Situations happened that maybe made me question if it was possible."
"I cried a lot during that time. I didn't understand anything. I didn't understand what was happening in my life, I didn't understand what was happening in the championship, I didn't understand anything. If I'm here, it's to be well and enjoy. Of course, there will be better and worse moments, but I think no one can have the words in their mouth, it's not what it used to be, or that the star that seemed to be, in the end, is a failure. When you're inside the World Championship, you realize that from the first rider to the last, they are very fast. And people can't imagine how fast the last one goes. It's not worth being upset for anyone," said the rider from Mazarron.
In addition to Acosta's account of his career, the documentary also features statements from his trainer and physiotherapist, Juan Mendoza, his manager, Albert Valera, and his Team Manager at Red Bull KTM in both Moto3™ and Moto2™, Aki Ajo. Ajo reflected on the high expectations and challenges faced by Acosta during the 2022 season: "Perhaps the expectations were too high, and he didn't control them 100% at that moment. But, on the other hand, as we have talked many times, I told him at that moment: 'We need it.' We need those difficult moments. If everything goes perfectly all the time, I don't think it's the right path. When you're a guy like Pedro Acosta, who really learns from mistakes and difficult moments, I think it's the perfect path to follow," analyzed Ajo, referring to the challenging period Acosta experienced during the 2022 season.