Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez will form GasGas Tech3 Factory Racing’s rider line-up for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, KTM has confirmed.

Highly-rated Acosta has long been rumoured for a progression into MotoGP from a Moto2 class he currently leads comfortably with six events remaining this season.

The announcement concludes a saga during which KTM was forced to decide whether to drop Fernandez and Pol Espargaro, with the latter subsequently ceding his seat to Acosta.

Espargaro, who only returned to the KTM fold this year after competing with the manufacturer between 2017-2020 during its formative years in MotoGP, will revert to a mentoring role within its well-established junior division.

“We had an important and difficult decision to make for our GASGAS team for 2024,” said Pierer Group Motorsport Director, Pit Beirer. “Augusto has made impressive first steps in MotoGP and we are totally convinced he has the speed and the intelligence to keep on progressing. 

“Pedro is a very special talent who has already won so much, so quickly and 2024 will be about him learning to take the next step with the big boys in MotoGP. I want to thank Pol for everything he has done and all he continues to do for us. 

“This guy is super-tough and super-determined and that’s why we want to count on him as an important part of our structure. Pol’s openness and proactiveness deserves my deepest respect. It underlines his greatness as a person that he gave us a helping hand in this situation. 

“It also shows his passion for the sport and his thoughts for the future. With these pieces in place and with Hervé, Nicolas, and all the team and their experience we have an exciting year ahead for the GASGAS brand.”

Acosta arrives in MotoGP on a wave of great anticipation after a rapid ascent through the grand prix categories, most notably Moto3 title win in 2021 as a rookie, while he is well placed to add the Moto2 title to his repertoire this season after six wins.

If he does, he’ll succeed Fernandez as Moto2 World Champion, the countrymen now set to join forces once again on the GasGas-branded KTM RC16.

Originally signed onto a one-year deal, Fernandez is enjoying a positive maiden campaign in MotoGP, peaking with his run to fourth place in the French MotoGP at Le Mans.