Although there were always high hopes for Acosta given his stellar record in junior categories, the Tech3 GasGas rider has defined even the loftiest of expectations by becoming the youngest rider to score back-to-back podiums, as he followed his third place in Portugal last month with a second-place finish in the Americas GP on Sunday.
This has propelled the Spaniard to fourth in the standings, 26 points behind championship leader Pramac rider Jorge Martin but ahead of defending champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) and the factory KTM of Brad Binder.
With Acosta showing he can take the fight to the very best in the premier class, there have been suggestions that he could potentially win the title in his rookie season - something not witnessed since Marc Marquez’s sensational debut campaign with the factory Honda team in 2013.
But the 19-year-old is not allowing himself to be weighed down by expectations, as he insists his focus at the moment is not on mounting a title bid.
“Let's start to think [about the next round] in Jerez and not about the championship,” he said. “All the people talking around, it's only pressure.
“We are in a sweet moment with the bike, with the team, with Pierer Mobility.
“Let's enjoy this moment and close the finger for sure if we can fight for the championship. It's a long season, but it's not the priority now.”
Source: Autosport