Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider Pedro Acosta has unveiled an NFL-inspired helmet for the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
The Spanish rider has ditched his usual dark navy-themed helmet for an all-white design with the prominent Red Bull logo on the side. The pared back design also incorporates the American flag and the NFL-ball-coloured sharks on each side.
Acosta is set to start the race at the iconic Circuit of the Americas in fourth position. Marc Marquez, who has won both races so far this season, starts from pole position followed by Fabio di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez, and Acosta.
Speaking to the media ahead of the race and after practice, Acosta explained:
"It was a positive Friday, in general. I'm happy with the feeling I had, especially in the wet where I felt good right away today, while usually it always takes me a long time. The conditions in pre-qualifying were not the best and, honestly, I chose to go back to the track with the soft front tyre, but I couldn't take advantage of the situation at all. I'm still in the top 10 so, all in all, it's good. They really did a great job with the asphalt: the track is finally flat and you can push well. So, I'm very happy."
The Spanish rider added:
"Although I had the soft, which is a tyre I struggle with a lot, I was able to brake hard. The only corner where I struggled a bit was the first one, but otherwise everything went well. I lose pretty much everything in the first two sectors, where you have to take advantage of the soft on the front, and I wasn't able to do that. It's a shame, but other than that the goal was to be in the top 10 and the feeling is good."
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
When asked if it was possible to catch up to Marc Marquez, Acosta responded:
"I don't know. We'll see. He is definitely as fast as ever, but the race is tomorrow so we'll see tomorrow."