Acosta's open left hand at Qatar draws attention

Pedro Acosta's riding at the Qatar Grand Prix drew attention after he let Marc Márquez pass and then allowed Bastianini and Ogura to overtake him. Onboard images show the KTM rider keeping his left palm and fingers open and spread on the clip-on handlebar through the wide right-hand turns.

Acosta has previously undergone two surgeries on his right arm for compartment syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome, the second in June this year, after retiring from the Assen Grand Prix due to a lack of strength. Some observers wondered whether the condition could be affecting his left side. When asked, Acosta seemed surprised by the question and said he had not done anything differently from usual on his RC16.

Photographs from several Grand Prix races suggest the open-hand posture has been a recurring feature of his style since his debut season in the premier class. The article also cites Jorge Lorenzo's relaxed left-hand grip on the Yamaha M1 as a comparable example.