Acosta amazes with first Grand Prix win after pit-lane start in Qatar

04/04/2021

The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider astounds on his second Moto3 appearance, overturning an 11-second deficit. Jaume Masia finishes the Doha GP in ninth.

 

Pedro Acosta dazzled under the spotlights of the Losail International Circuit this Sunday, claiming his first Moto3 race win and doing so having started from pit-lane. In only his second Grand Prix appearance, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie overcame a disadvantage of 11 seconds to catch the leading group, then passing 21 other riders en route to victory. Thanks to this result, Acosta tops the World Championship standings following the Doha GP. Teammate Jaume Masia had a solid performance, leading the contest at one point towards the end. After a tricky last lap, he placed ninth.

Acosta had been given a penalty for slow riding in FP2, along with six other riders. That meant a start from pit-lane and a big challenge ahead, with him completing the first lap still more than 11 seconds off the frontrunners. The Spaniard began to run the same pace he had during practice and was a second faster than the race leader. At the halfway mark, the 16-year-old talent latched onto the group that occupied positions 1-21. His climb continued, and on the final lap Acosta made the definitive pass to earn his maiden Moto3 win.

Masia started the 18-lap contest from pole position but dropped down to seventh by the end of the opening lap. Without losing calm or concentration, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider remained in a large leading group in which there were countless overtaking moves. With three laps to go, Masia worked his way to the front, but would eventually come home in ninth place.

Acosta thus heads the overall standings with 45 points. Jaume Masia is third in the standings, with 32. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo now have a week off before the next round, the Portuguese Grand Prix, from April 16th-18th.

 

Results (Moto3 Race)

1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 38:22.430
2. Darryn Binder (Honda) +0.039
3. Niccolo Antonelli (KTM) +0.482
4. Andrea Migno (Honda) +0.514
5. Kaito Toba (KTM) +0.651
9. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +1.875

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2021

1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 45 points
2. Darryn Binder (Honda) 36 points
3. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 32 points
4. Niccolo Antonelli (KTM) 26 points
5. Izan Guevara (GasGas) 19 points

 

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“Today’s Moto3 race was incredible and exciting in equal parts. We are extremely happy about the victory that our rookie rider Pedro Acosta achieved. Also, this win was even more special as he started from pit-lane. He did an unbelievable job. I’m impressed by his attitude, as he closely resembles the “old school” competitors of the past.
Jaume Masia had a contest similar to the one he had a week ago. The season is very long and a lot can happen, so we don’t have to worry about it. We have to analyse with Jaume what points we can improve for the next Grand Prix, in order to fight for the top spots again. We are motivated by the pairing we have this year, and with the entire team of professionals that make up the Red Bull KTM Ajo.”

5 JAUME MASIA

“It was a tough race to manage, with many riders close together. At crucial moments, we should have been a little calmer. This is experience that we are gaining, but the important thing is that we are strong and, in two weeks, at the Portuguese Grand Prix, we will try again.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“These things happen when you work with geniuses. We are in the World Championship, and it isn’t easy to do what we did. Yesterday we were not entirely clear about things, but today I told my assistant that we had the chance to do well. The riders at the front of the race got in each other’s way, and that helped us to hunt them down. In addition, those in the group that started from pit-lane kept clear of each other. When I caught up, I took a little breath and then went after them. Everything worked out well and I’m very happy.”

Partners



MotoE