No offer from MotoGP and limited options in the Superbike World Championship: Will Augusto Fernandez sign with Yamaha as a MotoGP test rider?
Rumors intensified during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that Augusto Fernandez will take on the role of Yamaha test rider in the future. A continuation of his career as a regular MotoGP rider is almost impossible. And the Spaniard also has only limited options in the Superbike World Championship. The interest from the production-based championship is manageable
Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli confirmed in Silverstone that Yamaha would like to strengthen the test team. Due to the lengthy injury to test rider Cal Crutchlow, a gap has arisen.
Yamaha already tried to persuade Remy Gardner to take on the role of MotoGP test rider. However, the Australian, who recently rode the Yamaha M1 twice, prefers to continue his WSBK career. Augusto Fernandez is an attractive alternative
Yamaha wants a young and hungry MotoGP test rider
“We want to strengthen the test team and sign a rider, but we are not thinking about a veteran or a retired rider, we want a young rider who is ready to do a lot of laps and we can make the most of the tests we can do thanks to the concessions”,
In the same breath, Meregalli makes it clear that they want to retain Crutchlow’s services. However, it is questionable when the Briton will be ready to ride again. Crutchlow underwent surgery on his hand. The multiple MotoGP race winner contracted an infection that is currently preventing him from riding the Yamaha M1. Remy Gardner recently stepped in to cushion the planned wildcard entry at Silverstone
Works contract and guaranteed wildcards: Yamaha as an appealing plan B
For Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha offers the prospect of completing some wildcards as a MotoGP test rider. This means that the former Moto2 World Champion can continue to compete in races. It is conceivable that Fernandez could be involved in five or six Grands Prix
Fernandez confirms the talks with Yamaha: “We are talking to them. If nothing comes up in this paddock or in the Superbike World Championship, then it’s a good way out for me, because I’m always thinking about a way to grow as a rider and return as a regular in the future.”
After a solid MotoGP debut season last year, Fernandez failed to make the expected leap in his second year. On the contrary: he is currently lagging well behind the form of the 2023 MotoGP season and is currently only 17th in the riders’ standings. So far, he has not managed a top 10 finish
