With a fixed spur size, lets say 40T

If you put a 12t pinion on it will accelerate very quickly and will not have great top speed.

Now put a 17t pinion you will get a slower initial acceleration but a much higher top speed.

This is fact and is reflected in the real world, for example in drag racing a "smaller pinion" is put in the rear differential to give it initial fast acceleration and just enough top speed to get it to the line to get the fastest time in the shortest distance.

Now if you take for example top speed runs like on the salt flats you will see these cars do not have great take off speed and will need some time to build up speed but there top speed will be insane as they essentially have a "big pinion"

Smaller pinion faster acceleration lower top speed
Bigger pinion slower acceleration higher top speed