MotoGP: 'No smoke without fire' Sylvain Guintoli sees Honda as future option for highly-rated Pedro Acosta
Published 28/03/2025 at 21:03 GMT
It has been an inauspicious start to the 2025 MotoGP season for Pedro Acosta and KTM. But the 20-year-old remains an in-demand rider, and there is continued speculation surrounding his future. He has been linked with a switch to Honda, but TNT Sports' Sylvain Guintoli says that there is "no smoke without fire", despite the team's improvement so far this year.
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Sylvain Guintoli believes there is "no smoke without fire" amid rumours of a potential move for Pedro Acosta to Honda.
The 20-year-old is under contract with KTM until next year, but speculation is growing that one of MotoGP's most highly-rated young riders could soon move elsewhere.
And TNT Sports' Guintoli has highlighted the growing appeal of Honda, re-emerging as one of the top teams.
"I think there'll be lots of talks going on, and that's only natural," he said. "Managers speak with manufacturers, this is what happens.
"With Honda being competitive again, this is what is really creating the noise, because up until the last three years they've been really struggling.
"Young Moto2 riders or current, top-class stars of MotoGP were not attracted by the package because it looked like it was just a no-go zone.
"But now, in two Grand Prix this year, things have changed. [Johann] Zarco is fifth in the Championship and they're looking really strong.
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"Honda is becoming an option again for top riders, and obviously the talks are going on. I would say there is no smoke without fire. Who knows?"
Acosta, in the lead-up to this weekend's Grand Prix Americas - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - looked to quieten any rumours.
"Well, at the end we have to know where we are," he said. "I came to KTM with a clear dream and the dream is still there.
"At the end we need to keep pushing. We know it’s not an easy target, but it’s part of the game. For this we have to be calm, don’t listen to the guys out of the team and that’s it."
KTM and Acosta have had a difficult start to the season, crashing out in Thailand and finishing ninth in Argentina.
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But the Spaniard was fifth fastest in FP1 on Friday.
"Maybe Austin was one of the best weekends we had last year," he said. "For this, we hope. It’s true that it’s not the start of the season we were dreaming of, but at the end it’s a long championship.
"If people run out of time to make a proper set-up and be in that high level that see the other manufacturers, maybe we can play around.
"Let’s see what is going on. We have to be calm and try to not make a big mess."
Watch and stream the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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