Pol Espargaró will therefore be the sacrifice of the KTM squad to make way for Pedro Acosta who is promised wonders as soon as he makes his first laps in MotoGP on the RC16 GASGAS. The 32-year-old driver, who is returning from serious injuries, spoke about this career as a driver which will no longer be that of a starter in 2024. With a lot of maturity and understanding, looking towards 2025 where everything could still change...
Pol Espargaro took stock of his situation after the arbitrations at KTM were unfavorable to his fate. In 2024, he will leave his place at Tech3 GASGAS to Peter Acosta, to the great relief ofAugusto Fernandez, who deserved just as much to continue his career in MotoGP. He was calm in an analysis that his older brother Aleix preferred to keep to himself… “ I prefer not to talk about this thing, it's better not to say what I think. Next year I will see less of him, but I am happy for him, because he will be able to enjoy his family and loved ones more without risking his life on the track » soberly commented the official Aprilia.
The one who stays with a contract KTM was more verbose in Mandalika… “ It was not easy to accept this decision, I am mature and I also understand KTM's point of view » he commented with this precision which also sealed his fate: “ wanting two more bikes was a good thing while Ducati bases part of its success on eight ". But there … " I spoke with KTM and we reached an agreement » explains Pol. “I will be able to run with Wildcards and I will continue to support the factory in another way ».
« We are still trying to refine all the details on how I will approach this new stage in my career »Adds Pol Espargaro. “Then, if a driver were to get injured, as happened to me this year – but we hope that doesn’t happen – I could still replace it. The championship program has become really intense and we have unfortunately also seen what can happen ».
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Pol Espargaro: “ it is clear that I am sorry, because as a driver I would like to be able to race »
That being said, his feeling remains this: “ it is clear that I am sorry, because as a driver I would like to be able to race and I feel like I'm faster in this part of the season, but perhaps not as quickly as I would have liked. Because I missed a lot of races at the start of the year. I changed the bike settings a lot but something is still missing ».
The Spaniard also says: “ this is how things happen, I felt a mix of different emotions, but then you step back and think. I am a mature person and you must accept the decision. I am definitely not a screaming and crying child. You have to evaluate the different options, even in the long term, after all, I'm only 32 and I'm not old. The running chapter is just one chapter of a longer journey, there are others after that too ". "
2025 is therefore for Pol Espargaro a point of focus: “ I will definitely keep my eyes open for the options available., whether or not I stay with KTM. If I had the choice, however, I would like to stay and race with them also in 2025. However, it is premature to talk about it. For the moment my objective will be to be as competitive and fast as possible whatever the position I have to occupy ».
Er he ends by having the nobility to knight Peter Acosta : " I'm sure KTM thought long and hard about this decision, after all it was also a responsibility to invest in the future of the company. I am sure that the entry into MotoGP of a young talent like Pedro Acosta will be an important addition for the Austrian house ».
