MotoGP Hall of Famer Dani Pedrosa will rush around the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) this week and bring the howl of the KTM RC16 to a vast four-wheel audience at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix; round 18 of the 2026 series.
Red Bull KTM test rider and MotoGP icon, a winner of 31 premier class Grands Prix, Dani will be one of four racers who will take to the Texan track for fast demo laps on Saturday. In a landmark moment for global motorsport, the demonstration will see MotoGP riders and machinery share the spotlight during a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend for the first time, in front of a crowd of more than 400,000 expected across the event. The run will give Formula 1 fans a rare opportunity to experience the speed and sound of MotoGP up close, with bikes capable of producing more than 225mph and 130 decibels of noise.
The showcase will take place on Saturday, 24 October, from 11:40am to 12:00pm CDT, with riders lapping COTA at pace ahead of Free Practice 3.
With MotoGP competing in Australia on the same weekend, the promo event provides a unique opportunity to bring MotoGP directly to one of the biggest sporting events in the United States and one of the most attended motorsport weekends in the world.
In addition to the on-track action, MotoGP will host a dedicated fan activation in the circuit Fan Zone throughout the weekend, featuring the four motorcycles on display and opportunities for fans to get closer to the sport.
MotoGP teams and riders will be onsite from Thursday through Sunday as the championship continues to build momentum towards its 2027 Grand Prix of the United States, which returns to COTA from April 23-25, 2027.
Dani Pedrosa, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: "It's always special to ride a MotoGP bike at COTA, one of the most spectacular circuits in the world. The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix attracts an incredible crowd, and it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase what makes MotoGP unique. These bikes deliver an experience unlike anything else in motorsport, and I am looking forward to giving fans in Austin a taste of that excitement."