A shark, the number 37, and a welcome message: Monster Energy seems to have chosen a particularly suggestive way to announce its intentions towards Pedro Acosta. According to the account X RubCanales, the American brand posted a story combining the Spanish rider's symbol with his racing number. Oscar Piastri, himself a Monster partner, reportedly shared it to welcome the future Ducati rider.
The official announcement of a personal contract has yet to be made. But this signal takes on a new dimension when one remembers the precedents of Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin.
Acosta: from the red bull to the green claw?
Pedro Acosta 's arrival at the official Ducati team in 2027 is confirmed. He will share the garage with Marc Marquez . But his move from KTM to Ducati could also change his business dealings.
At KTM, Acosta has been part of the Red Bull ecosystem for years. According to Autosport, this association is primarily through his contract with the Austrian manufacturer, rather than an independent personal agreement. This distinction could facilitate his move to Monster.
The message, reported by RubCanales , suggests that the transition is already underway. But unlike Marquez , Acosta might choose to fully embrace his new partner's colors.
Marquez: accepts Monster on the Ducati, but not on his helmet
The previous instance dates back to the winter of 2024-2025. After more than fifteen years with Red Bull, Marc Marquez joined Ducati , of which Monster is a major partner. The Spaniard then had to relinquish his personal contract with the Austrian brand.
But he refused to sign with his rival. " Out of respect for Red Bull , I will not be personally sponsored by Monster ," he explained. The nuance is that Marquez wears the Monster logos on his suit, his official cap, and his motorcycle, in accordance with Ducati 's commitments . However, his helmet retains a distinct identity, notably featuring Estrella Galicia 0,0, a long-standing partner.
Marquez therefore accepts his employer's obligations without symbolically renouncing his former loyalty.
Martin: Aprilia's even more brutal precedent
Jorge Martin experienced a similar situation, but with one major difference: the change occurred mid-season. In May 2026, Aprilia announced the arrival of Monster Energy, before becoming title sponsor in 2027.
For Martin , historically linked to Red Bull, the consequences are immediate. He suspends his relationship with the Austrian brand, a decision that costs him financially. The driver emphasizes that he has no control over this commercial development.
Unlike Marquez , who knew Ducati 's commitments when he signed, Martin sees his sponsorship environment transformed even though he already wears the colors of Aprilia.
This difference is worth emphasizing: manufacturers' contracts can reshape personal partnerships without the drivers being the main decision-makers.
Is Monster locking in Ducati's future with Acosta?
The announced partnership with Acosta is part of a coherent strategy. Monster already sponsors Ducati, and the personal partnership previously offered to Marquez did not materialize. With Acosta , the brand could secure a major ambassador among the most promising young riders.
This represents a major blow for Red Bull, which, in the space of a few years, has lost both Marc Marquez and now Pedro Acosta , two drivers in whom it had invested heavily.
However, the energy drink giant could recruit Fabio QuartararoThe Frenchman, a lifelong Monster rider, would join Hondawhere the brand with the two bulls and the sun would make its grand return. For now, however, this transfer remains to be confirmed.
So, what do we remember?
- Acosta: signs of a rapprochement with Monster, without an officially verified personal contract.
- Marquez: a negotiated exception, between Ducati obligations and historical loyalty to Red Bull.
- Martin: a Red Bull partnership sacrificed after Monster's arrival at Aprilia.
The real battle between Red Bull and Monster isn't just about the fairings. It's also about the helmets, the contracts, and the riders' loyalties. And if Acosta personally joins Monster, he could become precisely what Marquez refused to be: the face of the green brand at Ducati.
