‘Take it easy, it took me until 28 to learn that’ - Marquez advises Acosta

There aren’t many Moto3 riders that would garner enough attention to warrant advice from a MotoGP World Champion, much less a six-time one like Marc Marquez, but then Pedro Acosta is seemingly no ordinary up-and-coming rider.

The 16-year old has stunned the grand prix paddock in the opening four races of the season - his first on the international stage - with a podium on his debut in Qatar followed by a run of three straight victories on the Red Bull KTM Ajo bike.

These wins included him winning from starting in the pit-lane in Doha and his most recent success in Jerez when he recovered from 13th on the grid to pass two riders on the final lap, which in turn put him just ahead of a final corner pile-up that eliminated Jaume Masia, Deniz Oncu and Darryn Binder.

It means after four races he has 95 points to his name - almost double that of his nearest rival - while his four podiums are a record for a grand prix rookie. While there is still a long way in this season to go, Acosta is the name of many riders’ lips having won an army of new fans that have praised not only his results on social media, but also his particularly savvy race craft and cool attitude.

With attention comes pressure though and while cries of being the next Marc Marquez - arguably the last rider to make such an impression in the junior categories - devalue his own development as a unique racer, it is fitting that the eight-time GP champion has been offering some words of advice for his Red Bull-backed stablemate.

“Don't worry, it's normal to be agitated,” Marquez - who won 125GP on his third attempt, told Acosta via Gazzetta dello Sport. “You will get used to conferences. Enjoy your first year. For me it was the most beautiful and fun season. After everyone will always ask you to win, it will get more complicated. 

“People will expect you to be successful in every race. Take it easy. And if you can't win, think about the points. At 28 I learned it, but when I was your age…”

Is Marc Marquez advice telling us something about himself?

Naturally, there will be those that will question the wisdom of a man that - by all accounts - is known for not only wanting to win at all costs, but also trying to put on a show, as demonstrated at the height of his powers by last lap battles with Fabio Quartararo in 2019 at Misano and Buriram where he later revealed he was holding back to ensure the race went down to a final lap showdown (he won on both occasions).

However, this is the Marquez of 2021, twelve months on from the crash in Jerez that could well change the course of his career. On that occasion he made a mistake in the early stages and dropped to last before mounting a spectacular - but on the limit - comeback that overstepped with three laps remaining, leaving him with an injured shoulder and months of rehabilitation.

With this in mind, it’s a window into how he views his own elasticity by saying he has learned the benefit of points over prizes aged 28 (as he is now)...