P1racenews AI automatic summary:
MotoGP champion Bagnaia says rookie Acosta “must be left alone”
“The 19-year-old reigning Moto2 champion, Pedro Acosta, made his official MotoGP debut on Friday at the Losail International Circuit with the KTM-backed Tech3 GasGas squad. Leading both sessions at various stages, Acosta was third overall in the dry FP1 and third in the rain-hit second outing to cap off a first day that has generated more hype around the rookie. Despite his impressive performance, Ducati’s Bagnaia emphasized that Acosta needs to be left alone to focus on his development without added pressure. Acosta himself remains grounded, stating that expectations are detrimental for a young rider in the MotoGP paddock as he is yet to reach the limits of the RC16. He expressed his focus on enjoying the experience and the change of team while acknowledging the need for time to fully grasp the bike’s capabilities. Meanwhile, Bagnaia faced unexpected issues during Friday’s session but remains confident in the potential of his Ducati GP24, striving to rectify the setbacks for the upcoming races.”
