Exclusive: 'It was tough' - Pedro Acosta aims to learn from 'biggest mistake' ahead of MotoGP debut in Qatar

Pedro Acosta has revealed the “biggest mistake” he is looking to learn from ahead of making his much-anticipated MotoGP debut in Qatar.

Acosta, 19, has had a rapid rise to MotoGP after winning Moto3 and Moto2 titles over the last three years.

He will command plenty of attention when he lines up for Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing Tech 3 for the opening race of the MotoGP season in Qatar on March 10, live on TNT Sports.

Ahead of the race, Acosta told TNT Sports how he is trying to avoid the same "mistakes" he made in his rookie season in Moto2 in 2022.

“It was tough. Maybe I had a lot of pressure myself, maybe I listen a lot to the media, maybe I start to think about all the expectations that people were putting on myself, maybe I make a lot of mistakes - not maybe, for sure.

“Maybe in 2022 I lost the way because I was too focused to win and I was not focused in the way to arrive to the moment to win. For this I was failing, having crashes…for this moment I try to focus on the way to arrive and not just to win.

“It’s also normal when you are young and you need to try and you need to fail and make these mistakes to learn. So, I'm happy to have it in the past, now I am more relaxed, trying to avoid these moments and trying to enjoy it.”

Acosta’s arrival at the top tier has not just got fans talking, but other riders too.

MotoGP legend Marc Marquez has said ahead of Qatar that he thinks the rookie “has everything to be a big name” in the sport.

Asked how he deals with the huge expectations around him, Acosta said: “I try to not think about it, don’t listen to the media. That was maybe the biggest mistake I made in 2022.

“And also try to be quite realistic, if we can win we can win, if we are not ready then we are not ready.

“I will take time to be ready to win. I am take some races, some months, some years, whatever. If I have arrive I will arrive. Be calm and work in the proper way.”

Acosta will make his MotoGP debut just four years after winning the MotoGP Rookies Cup.

He admits he is having to grow up quickly as he tries to deal with a “huge step” in his life.

"For everything, not just for my career, for my life, my habits, my lifestyle, for everything. I am still a kid but need to live like a man or to show it.

“Sometimes it’s not easy because I am 19 years old. I still this kid in my head. Sometimes we need time to play a bit and do these things. I just try to enjoy it.

“It's a huge challenge because it’s the premier class. I am not going to have it easy but we need to be ready for it.”

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