For Augusto Fernandez the start of the 2024 season was very difficult, as evidenced by the only 7 points scored in the first three grands prix. But there is more than unsatisfactory results. On the other side of the garage there is a certain Pedro Acosta who, despite being a rookie, is outclassing him. On the one hand this puts pressure on him and on the other it must give him a strong motivation to improve. He has a contract that expires at the end of the year and to stay in MotoGP he must necessarily change gear.
MotoGP, Fernandez needs a shake-up
Interviewed by the official MotoGP website, the Spanish rider admitted that things are not going as he had imagined: “We expected it to go much better, because we finished last season not badly. Several times I was close to the best KTM. I expected more from this start of the championship with the new bike. I’m struggling to find speed, I don’t have it yet. I have already suffered this type of situation in the past, a very good year and then a couple of negative ones. But I always came back“.
Fernandez is not managing to exploit the potential of an RC16 which appears improved compared to 2023, even in his hands it is not shining: “I don’t feel good on the bike. I see the potential, I see that the bike is better. I have no excuses. I have to find my base and find speed again. It’s a relief to know that with this bike I can do it, I can change anything, I want to be there and I want to win“.
The comparison with Acosta
It is inevitable to talk about Acosta, who Augusto is studying to try to understand how to improve: “Lucky to have Pedro in the garage. He’s going fast from the start, I’m careful to compare things and understand more quickly what I’m missing to be competitive. Having a fast teammate has its downsides, because you fight for everything, but it’s good to be able to recover more quickly than when you don’t have this type of teammate“.
The Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team rider knows what he needs to do to earn a place on the 2025 MotoGP grid: “I need to get results now. Especially at this moment in MotoGP, where we have to sign contracts. I have to continue working and I hope to stay on the same bike next year, because I believe in the project and I want to show that I am a winner and that I can win with this bike“.
Photo: GASGAS Tech3
