MotoGP returned to Brazil after more than two decades and found a challenging scenario in Goiânia, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing managing to extract important points even in a complicated weekend. Pedro Acosta was the team’s highlight by finishing in seventh and maintaining a strong presence in the championship.
Read more MotoGP: Bastianini overcomes difficulties and scores points in Brazil
The result gains importance due to the context of adaptation to the new circuit and the difficulties faced throughout the weekend. With an unknown track for drivers and teams, plus demanding conditions, scoring points was seen as a relevant step for KTM.
The Ayrton Senna International Autodrome hosted its first MotoGP race since 1989, with an audience of over 60,000 people following the event. The short and technical circuit, combined with the use of Michelin hard-carcass tires, required quick adjustments from teams throughout practice and the race.
Acosta started from ninth position and had a good start, quickly advancing to the top 5. The 21-year-old Spaniard exploited the available grip to the maximum, but found limitations on the straights, which compromised a possible fight for higher positions. Still, he crossed the finish line in seventh and remains in third place in the championship.
“In the first laps we were doing well, but we didn’t have speed on the straights. We were missing some points to fight for the podium, so we did the maximum with what we had,” said the driver.
Among his brand teammates, Enea Bastianini put on a recovery race. After starting in 22nd, the Italian managed the tires well and advanced to 15th position, securing the last available point. Maverick Viñales, who started from the back of the grid, completed the race in 18th and highlighted progress in adapting to the KTM RC16.
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Brad Binder had a more complicated weekend. The South African made a good start and gained positions early on, but suffered a crash on the fourth lap, ending his race participation prematurely.
Bastianini highlighted the difficulties imposed by the Brazilian track. “The track was new for everyone and we knew we could suffer, but it was even more difficult. The circuit is fast, but with slow sections where we had acceleration problems,” he explained.
Team principal Aki Ajo acknowledged that performance fell short of expectations, but highlighted the challenging context. “It was a complicated weekend, mainly due to weather conditions and adaptation to the circuit. We know we need to improve some technical points,” he said.
Now, MotoGP moves on to the United States, where the GP will be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. KTM’s expectation is to take a step forward on a track with different characteristics and seek more consistent results in the rest of the season.
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