Pedro Acosta is proclaimed 2021 Moto3 World Champion after winning the Algarve Grand Prix, becoming the first rookie to clinch the title in 125cc/Moto3.

On March 26th of this year, Pedro Acosta made his World Championship debut. Seven months later, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider has clinched the Moto3 title. With one race to go before the end of the season, Acosta has become the first rookie rider to win the 125cc/Moto3 crown, and he explains what it was that made the historic feat possible.

Have you been able to take in being the new Moto3 World Champion?
“We are still assimilating what has happened and what we have achieved. I can’t believe it yet. It will take me a couple of days to take it all in.”

What thoughts came to your head during the lap of honour?
“I thought about everything that has happened in the last year. It has been a very tough season because, at the beginning, few people believed in me making the move up to the World Championship. That was what came to mind as I crossed the finish line. Afterwards, I couldn’t stop crying during the entire lap of honour.”

If seven months ago, at the Qatar Grand Prix, you had been told that you would win the title at the end of the season, would you have believed it?
“This title has been thanks to the work we have done, because without the team I am nobody. Little by little we have been achieving certain goals, and that has helped make this title possible. Above all, we have achieved it thanks to the great work that each and every one of the team members have done.”

How does it feel to be the first rookie World Champion in the class?
“The truth is that I didn’t know that was the case. I’m not thinking about it right now either. I am still trying to assimilate everything that happened yesterday in Portugal.”

“I remember the hard times, because we have learned a lot thanks to them.”

What has been the key for a rookie winning a world title?
“The team. They have been essential. They have given me incredible confidence, from the first tests up until now. They have always trusted in me and have helped me in everything I have needed. They have never lost their smiles – and that was important. Both my team and my inner circle have been the ones who have led me on the right path and have made me a champion today.”

There is still one race left in the 2021 season. What has been your best moment of the year?
“I’ll go with the beginning of the year. It was incredible. I will also remember the hard times, because we have learned a lot thanks to them. I prefer to look at the season in general, because it has been very good both for learning and for getting better.”

What has been the most difficult experience for you this season?
“There were races in which we were close, but we couldn’t get it done, and that was difficult for us. However, this year we have made steady progress and there has not been a time that I can consider ‘bad’ as such. We needed to learn from our mistakes and we will keep learning.”

What do you expect from the 2022 season, when you move up to Moto2?
“I am looking forward to the first sessions testing the bike. Although I don’t expect anything in particular, I want to continue learning and enjoying myself on the bike. I can’t wait to start working for next season.”