Red Bull KTM Ajo have announced the promotion of Pedro Acosta into the Moto2 team in 2022 with Augusto Fernandez joining alongside.

The rookie sensation will move up to the intermediate class in only his second season with the KTM structure after a breakout 2021 debut in Moto3. Recording five victories and a further podium to date in his first year, the 17-year-old star currently leads the Moto3 World Championship with six races remaining of the campaign. Having already achieved Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion in 2020.

Fernandez, the current teammate to Sam Lowes at Marc VDS, joins the Red Bull KTM Ajo ranks with 68 Grands Prix starts in the intermediate class to his name over the past five years. Still only 23, Fernandez has garnered three victories, five podiums and one pole position and is regularly seen battling at the front.

The pair will take over from Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez - currently sitting one and two in the Moto2 standings before their promotion into the Tech3 MotoGP team next year - as Red Bull KTM Ajo continues its philosophy for developing and training new riders. This new partnership combines both youth and experience with the aim of eventually occupying one of the four Red Bull KTM MotoGP seats.

“The leap up to Moto2 was a move I wanted to make,” Acosta said of the announcement. “Of course, we still have a lot to learn in Moto3, but changing class will allow us to define some details and ride alone more.

“It will help me to grow as a rider in general. Staying with Red Bull, KTM and Aki Ajo will be good for us, because we have a year of experience together and, in addition, I already have a relationship with the people who will be my mechanics next year - which is something positive and important.

“They have helped me to take my first steps in the World Championship, to believe that I was capable of being there and to create a working methodology appropriate for the level of this competition."

“I am very happy to be part of the Red Bull KTM Ajo family,” Fernandez added. “It is a structure that, for many years, has been the benchmark in Moto2, winning races, fighting for world titles and achieving them. They have a lot of experience in managing Grands Prix and entire seasons, so I can't wait to start working with the team and learning from them.

“The objective for next year will be to fight for the title. I know they have the wisdom and the means to make it happen, so I'm looking forward to next year."

“We’ve had a very strong season in Moto2 with Remy and Raul and there are still a few races to go but looking to 2022 we are happy to have another couple of great riders with Pedro and Augusto and a promising combination of experience and youth,” Team Manager, Aki Ajo confirmed.

“We have known Augusto for some time and have seen his career and results. He has shown big potential and I think we can achieve great things together. Pedro’s rookie year in Moto3 has been something special and even more is coming.

“The step to Moto2 after just one season in Moto3 is a big one but if there is one rider that can make this step then it’s Pedro. We have a lot of trust in him and will, of course, fully support him. Together with Red Bull and KTM, I am confident we have selected the right talents for our KTM GP Academy for the future.”