Augusto Fernandez's future in MotoGP is uncertain following the signings of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales by KTM. With these two big names joining the team, Fernandez finds himself looking for a new job, a year after Fabio Di Giannantonio led the way in a similar situation.
Moto2 world champion, Augusto Fernandez took the logical steps to access MotoGP, joining the team Tech3 by Hervé Poncharal. In 2023, he showed promising commitment, despite the challenges posed by the injury of Pol Espargaro at the start of the season in Portimao. The team, playing under the GASGAS banner for the first time, suffered from this hard blow.
For 2024, Fernandez finds increased stability, but he also has to face a formidable teammate, Peter Acosta. Acosta, already known for his exploits in the intermediate category in 2022, quickly showed his compatriot what it means to be a successful rookie in MotoGP.
With confirmation that he has to pack his bags after the final Grand Prix of 2024, Augusto Fernandez will likely feel a combination of frustration and relief. Relief ? This could indeed result in an improvement in its performance. Fabio DiGiannantonio is a perfect example of this dynamic.
Augusto Fernandez: “ Right now I'm in the worst situation."
After a difficult entry into MotoGP with Gresini in 2022, and despite a difficult start to the second season, Di Giannantonio transformed a message of dismissal into a liberating boost. The second half of his 2023 season was brilliant, capped by a sensational victory in Qatar.
This success was not isolated. In the last five MotoGP events of 2023, “Diggia” secured his place in the team VR46 thanks to a series of solid performances. Recharged by a new confidence in himself, he was able to stand up to Marco Bezzecchi. For Augusto Fernandez, the absence of pressure of having to surpass your teammate Acosta could rekindle his desire to succeed by MotoGP. « Right now I'm in the worst situation.", said Fernandezin Relevo about his poor form before his replacement was announced. “I know I have a lot more. There are more than six months left. So… it can be torture. I don't know what's going to happen next year, but we have six months left. I don't see myself having such a bad time this whole time. So we have to try to draw strength and turn things around, because there is a lot of good information from other drivers that we can copy. We have to try to have a good time during the rest of the season and next year we will see where we are. But at least, reverse the situation"
The density of performance in MotoGP, where one second can separate all riders in qualifying, shows how technical details and mental state can make the difference between light and shadow. Hervé Poncharal, the boss of Fernandez et Acosta, sums up the situation well: “ we do nothing wrong and everything is the same and yet the smallest detail makes the biggest difference. » In Jerez, Acosta completed a lap in 1'38,3 minutes, while Fernandez was at 1'38,9. Six tenths of a second separate promotion from termination. If Fernandez manages to overcome this bitter reality of MotoGP, new opportunities could open up for him.
